Delirum Flashcards
What is delirum?
Cognitive disorder “characterized by inattention, disordered thinking, and a fluctuating mental status.”
Delirium risk factors
- existing cognitive impairment
- low functional autonomy
- benzodiazepines, narcotic anageics, and anticholinergics
Causes of Delirium
I WATCH DEATH
**Infections: **UTI, pneumonia would be the most common
**Withdrawal: **from ETOH, benzodiazepines, sedatives
Acute: electrolytes Na, Ca, K
Metabolic: dehydration, hepatic/renal failure
Toxins/Drugs: anticholinergics, stimulants, salicylates, opiates ,Tagamet, steroids, dilantin
CNS: strokes, TIA, tumors, seizures, pathology haemmorhage, infections
Hypoxia: anaemia, respiratory and heart failure, Arrythmias, hypotension
Deficiencies:thiamine (ETOH abuse), B12, Malnutrition
Endocrine: thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal dysfunction, hyper/hypoglycemia
**Acute Vascular: **hypertensive crisis, shock
Trauma: head injury from falls, p-op, hypo/hyperthermia, B.T
Heavy Metals: lead, mercury, manganese
Symptoms
- wanders, unsteady gail, acts out fear from halluciantions or illusions
- forgets things
- awake disoriented during the night (sundowning), fightened atnight
- unable to take care of basic needs
- ses frightening things that are not there, illusions, delusions
- does not recognize famililar people or places, has difficulty wit short or long term memory
- has difficulty with communication, cannot find words
- devasted over losing place in life
- family over burneded and overwhemed