Cognition: Acute Confusion

Question 1

components of cognition?

Answer 1

awareness, attention, orientation, judgment, memory, learning, executive function

Question 2

factors affecting normal cognition?

Answer 2

lifespan, physical illness, medications, neurobiological, lifestyle, environmental

Question 3

what are some things to look for during an assessment of cognition?

Answer 3

orientation
level of consciousness
neurological assessment
mental status exams

Question 4

what the signs and symptoms of acute confusion?

Answer 4

occurs abruptly over a few hours or days
causes fluctuations in consciousness or alertness
causes reduced awareness with lucid intervals
reduces the clients attention
causes disorganized thinking and incoherent language
reduces immediate and recent memory

Question 5

acute confusion as related to :

Answer 5

age 
alcohol abuse
medications
electrolytes
cardiac disorders
systemic infections
hepatic disease
renal disease

Question 6

expected outcomes for a patient with acute confusion?

Answer 6

patient is free of episodes of confusion.
(things to do to prevent confusion: monitor lab values, monitor high risk patients, monitor medication use, minimize sensory impairment)