Confusion Flashcards
1
Q
signs of acute confusioned state - D.E.L.I.R.I.U.M.
A
Disordered thinling Euphoria, fearful, depressed, angry Language impaired Illusions/delusions/hallucinations Reversal of sleep wake cycle & impaired consciousness Inattention Unaware/disorientated Memory deficits
2
Q
causes of delirium - V.I.T.A.M.I.N.C.D.E.F.
A
Vascular Infective/inflammatory Trauma Auto-immune Metabolic Idiopathic/iatrogenic Neoplastic Congential Degenerative/developmental Endocrine/environmental Functional (no glasses, hearing aids etc)
not exhaustive list!
3
Q
confusion screen
A
Bedside: BM, urine dip
Bloods: FBC, U+E, LFT, TFT, bone profile, glucose, INR/clotting, CRP/ESR, haematinics
Imaging: CXR, ? CT head
4
Q
delirium DDx
A
dementia acute psychosis depression anxiety dysphasia
5
Q
Alzheimers dementia - 50%
A
degeneration of the cerebral cortex
cortical atrophy
amyloid plaques
reduced ACh production
6
Q
Vascular dementia - 25%
A
brain damage due to cerebrovascular disease e.g.:
major stroke
multiple unrecognised smaller strokes (multi-infarct)
chronic changes in smaller vessels (subcortical dementia)
7
Q
dementia with lewy bodies - 15%
A
deposition of abnormal protein (lewy bodies) within neurons in the brain stem and neocortex
