Dementia and Delirium

Question 1

4 main features of delirium

Answer 1

1. Drowsiness or sleeplessness
2. Disorientation (cognitive change)
3. Acute onset (hours/ days)
4. Diurnal fluctuation often seen

Question 2

Risk factors for delirium

Answer 2

"	Advanced age
"	Frailty
"	Dementia
"	Visual loss
"	Poor hearing
"	Malnutrition

Question 3

Common causes of delirium

Answer 3

"	Drug toxicity or withdrawal
"	Infection
"	Heart failure
"	Metabolic conditions
"	Trauma, including elective surgery
"	Environmental changes eg hospital admission, ward moves

Question 4

3 factors that determine mental capacity

Answer 4

1. Understand information
2. Retain information
3. Weight information to make decision