Delirium Confusion Flashcards
Delirium =
Acute brain injury
Criteria of Delirium (4)
- Disturbance of consciousness (inattention)
- Not better explained by dementia
- Rapid development, vary during day
- A general medical condition has directly caused condition
Delirium most prevalent in:
hospitalized pts > 65 y/o
Which of the following is not a predictor of in-hospital delirium? A. Vision impairment B. Malnutrition C. Severe illness D. Cognitive impairment E. Azotemia
B. This is a RISK FACTOR for delirium in hospitalized pts
Other risk factors of hospitalized pts:
Use of physical restraints
>3 new medications
Use of bladder catheter
Azotemia = high nitrogen containing compounds
I realize this is kind of a shitty question… Just know that everything mentioned could either predict or be a risk factor for delirium. Sorry…
____ is essentially diagnostic of delirium
Positive Confusion Assessment Method
Acute onset and fluctuating course + inattention) + (Disorganized thinking OR altered level of consciousness
T/F: Negative CAM is not enough to rule out delirium
False: negative CAM rules out delirium
T/F: There is a specific list of illnesses that can cause delirium in a susceptible pt
False: Almost ANY illness
Time course of delirium caused by seizure, stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage
Sudden (seconds)
Time course of delirium caused by drug-induced, hypoglycemia, hypoxia
Minutes- hours
Time course of delirium caused by dementia
Gradual progression over months
Time course of delirium caused by infection, renal failure, hepatic failure, hyperglycemia
Hours-days
Symptom: headache
Think: (2)
Mass lesion
Meningitis
Symptoms: visual field defect, neglect, hemiplegia, hemiparesis, facial droop
Think: (2)
Stroke (Ischemic or hemorrhagic)
Mass lesion w/ compression
Symptom: abnormal motor activity
Think: (1)
Seizure: post-ictal
Symptoms: Fever, neck stiffness
Think: (1)
Meningitis
