Delirium Flashcards
What is delirium
common clinical syndrome characterised by disturbed consciousness, cognitive function or perception
acute onset
fluctuating course
What are some predisposing factors for delirium
> 65 years
background of dementia
significant injury
frailty or multimorbidity
polypharmacy
What are some precipitating events to delirium
infection - UTI
metabolic- hypercalcaemia, hypoglycaemia , hyperglycaemia, dehydration
change of environment
severe pain
alcohol withdrawal
constipation
How may someone with delirium present
memory disturbances - usually loss of short term>long term
agitated
disorientation
mood change
visual hallucination
disturbed sleep-cycle
poor attention
What screening tools are used for delirium
4AT - score of 0-12
Confusion assessment method
What is management of delirium
treating underlying cause
modifying environment
Haloperidol or Olanzapine
What is delirium tremens
can develop from untreated alcohol dependence
can begin 24-72hrs after alcohol consumption has been stopped or reduced
What are some symptoms of delirium tremens
hallucinations
confusion
delusions
seizures
What does the 4AT score consist of
4 item tool
alertness, cognition , attention and presence of acute change/fluctuating course
What is the CAM criteria for delirium
Confusion that developed suddenly and fluctuates
AND
inattention AND EITHER
disorganised thinking OR
altered level of consciosuness
