Delirium

Question 1

Delirium

Answer 1

Worsening or change in a person’s mental state that happens suddenly over a couple of days

Become confused/ more confused than usual

Question 2

Hyperactive delirium

Answer 2

Restless

Be agitated (walking about or pacing)

Resist personal care or respond aggressive to it

Seem unusually vigilant

Question 3

Hypoactive delirium

Answer 3

Withdrawn, feeling lethargic and tired

Drowsy

Unusually sleepy

Unable to stay focused when they’re awake

Question 4

Factors favouring delirium over dementia

Answer 4

Impairment of consciousness

Fluctuation of symptoms (worse at night, periods of normality)

Abnormal perception (illusions and hallucinations)

Agitation, fear

Delusions

Question 5

Causes

Answer 5

Drugs
Epilepsy/ electrolyte imbalance
Liver failure/ low oxygen (MI, PE)
Infection
Retention (urinary/ faecal)
Intracranial/ ictal state
Uraemia/ underhydration/ undernutrition
Metabolism (anaemia, hypercapnoea, hypoglycaemia, endocrine disorders)