Delirium

Question 1

Antihistamine H1 antagonist that has an anticholinergic effect that can induce delirium in the elderly (antidepressant/anxiety effects in younger) after crossing the blood-brain barrier

Answer 1

chlorphenamine

Question 2

2 drugs used in delirium tremens

Answer 2

• chlordiazepoxide

- pabrinex

Question 3

Three clinical abnormalities found in delirium

Answer 3

• thought
• perception
• levels of awareness

Question 4

Once a px has delirium can they return to baseline function

Answer 4

• typically no

- can take weeks, months but never baseline

Question 5

5 general causes of delirium

Answer 5

Acute infection 
Prescribed drugs 
Toxic substances (alcohol withdrawal) 
Vascular (infarction) 
Metabolic (electrolyte imbalances)

Question 6

Most common general cause of delirium (give an example)

Answer 6

Prescribed drugs (benzodiazepines)

Question 7

3 typical symptoms of delirium

Answer 7

Memory defects
Agitation
Consciousness clouded/impaired

Question 8

2 subtypes of delirium

Answer 8

Hypoactive

Hyperactive

Question 9

2 symptoms of hypoactive delirium. This can be misdiagnosed as

Answer 9

Quiet + apathy

Depression

Question 10

2 symptoms of hyperactive delirium. This can be misdiagnosed as

Answer 10

Agitation + delusions

Schizophrenia

Question 11

General Mx delirium

Answer 11

Remove cause (infection/drugs)

Question 12

4 most common misdiagnosis of delirium

Answer 12

Depression
Bipolar
Schizophrenia
Dementia