delirium

Question 1

definition of delirium?

Answer 1

altered mental status in which at least 2 of the following 6 symptoms:

1. disturbance of consciousness (hypervigilent or somnolent)
2. perceptual disturbance
3. sleep-wake cycle disturbance
4. increase/decrease in psychomotor activity
5. disorientation to person/place or time
6. memory impairment

Question 2

mild delirium may present as?

Answer 2

disturbed sleep and mild tachycardia (sundowner’s syndrome)

Question 3

severe delirium may present as?

Answer 3

patient disoriented, unable to follow simple requests

Question 4

what are the 4 features of confusion assessment method?

Answer 4

acute onset and fluctuating course

inattention

disorganized thinking

altered level of consiousness (orientation)

THREE OF four must be met for delirium

Question 5

what is the focus of the diagnostic evaluation?

Answer 5

finding the cause!

Question 6

labs for delirum?

Answer 6

LFT, TSH, UA, B12, electrolytes, bUN, creatinine, glucose

Question 7

first line treatments for delirium?

Answer 7

typical anti-psychotics, haloperidol

atypical anti-psychotics
quetiapine
risperidone

Question 8

unsupervised delirious patients frequently suffer ___

Answer 8

falls