Delirium

Question 1

what is delirium

Answer 1

 A state of disturbed consciousness, altered cognition, with a rapid onset
occurring over hours or a few days
 It is a medical emergency

Question 2

is delirium a syndrome or disease

Answer 2

syndrome

Question 3

what can happen with deliurum

Answer 3

sutpor, coma, seizures, or death
risk for postop comlpications, longer postop recuperation, longer hosptial stays, long term disability
elderly pt 22-76% change of dying during that hospitalization
25% of pt with delirium die within 6 months

Question 4

what do we give recovering alcoholics for delirium

Answer 4

lorazepam

Question 5

delirium can by caused by…

Answer 5

Pneumonia
 Urosepsis
 Myocardial infarction

Question 6

types of delirium

Answer 6

Substance intoxication
* Substance withdrawal
* Medication-induced
* Due to another medical condition or multiple etiologies.

Question 7

assessment of delirium

Answer 7

 The “classic” presentation is NOT the most common
 Course is FLUCTUATING
 Characterized by a disturbance in level of awareness
and a change in cognition
 Develops rapidly over a short period; typically abrupt
onset

Question 8

s/s of delirium

Answer 8

Difficulty sustaining and shifting attention
* Extreme distractibility
* Speech that is rambling, irrelevant, pressured, and incoherent
* Disorientation to time and place
* Global memory impairment
* Misperceptions of environment, e.g., illusions & hallucinations
* Fluctuating level of consciousness
* Sleep-wake cycle disturbed; reversal of cycle
* Psychomotor activity fluctuates: agitation and restlessness to a
stuporous/lethargic state
* Emotional lability