Confusion Flashcards
what is confusion?
It is also called disorientation.
It is a symptom of an underlying medical condition
For example:
➢ A physiological change in the brain (ie: low sodium levels,
dehydration)
➢ A disease process (ie: dementia, sepsis)
➢ Substance-induced factors (ie: drugs and alcohol abuse,
withdrawal)
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signs and symptoms of confusion
- Anxiety
- Behaviour Changes
- Tremors
- Hallucinations
- Disorganized thinking and speech
- Impaired attention span
what causes confusion/cognitive change?
- UTI (one of the main causes)
- Alcohol intoxication
- Low blood sugar
- Head trauma or head injury
- Sleep deprivation
- Seizures
- Sudden drop in body temperature
Define Delirium
Disorientation that occurs suddenly and usually without warning is called delirium
what causes delirium
- Infection
- Dehydration / Malnutrition
- Multiple medications
- Medication side-effects
- High or low blood sugars
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Pain
- Recent injury (fall)
What is dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a progressive decline in intellectual and social abilities that affect a person’s daily functioning
It is not a single disease but a group of illnesses that involve memory, behaviour, learning, decision making, and communication
symptoms of delirium
- Inattention
- Mental confusion (sudden, fluctuating over 24 hrs)
- Distorted thinking
- Perceptual changes
What is an HCA’s responsibility with regards to managing and supporting someone with delirium?
o Be aware of signs of delirium
o Provide a safe environment to prevent falls and injuries
o Support basic needs
o Provide re-orientation
o Create a calm environment
o Communicate effectively
o Support emotional needs
Treatable (Reversible) Forms of Dementia are
caused by the following..
- Metabolic issues
- Brain injury
- Brain tumor
- Substance abuse
- Nutritional deficiencies
Irreversible Forms of Dementia
can be caused by..
o Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia (ADRD)
o Vascular Dementia (multi-infarct dementia)
o Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)
o Frontotemporal Degeneration Dementia
