Delerium Flashcards
What is delirium?
What are the symptoms
Disturbed consciousness. This can either be hypoactive or hyperactive or mixed consciousness. There is a change in cognition associated with changes in memory, perception, language, illusions or hallucinations.
Other symptoms include disturbance of the sleep/ wake cycle, disturbed psycho motor behaviour and emotional disturbance.
What can cause delirium?
Infection dehydtation Biochemical disturbance (hypo/hypernutremia (especially hypercalcemia) Pain Drugs Constipation and urinary retention Hypoxia Alcohol/drug withdrawal Sleep disturbance Brain injury (stroke/tumour/bleed) Changes in environmental/emotional distress Often multiple triggers and sometimes unsure whats caused it. TIME sheet good for checking this
Why are we worried about delirium
How do you diagnose delirium?
Large morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. As well as this it increases hospital stays and increases rates of institutionalisation.
4AT sheet
What are the non-pharmacological treatments of delirium?
Re-orientate and reassure patient Encourage early mobility and self care? Correction of sensory impairment Normalise sleep/wake cycle Ensure continuity of care Avoid urinary cathetirisation/venflons Get people out of hospital ASAP Involve family members and carers
What are the pharmacological treatments of dementia?
Drugs r bad, stop bad drugs
no benefit to treat with drugs. Only use drugs if patient is becoming a danger
Antipsychotics (quetiapine)
Start low and go slow, 12.5mg orally, consultant decision
Who is involved in the care of patients with delirium?
Physicians, nurses, HC-SW, OT, pharmacists, geriatricians, psychiatrists, social work
