Emily Wilkins - Falls Flashcards
What are the behaviour changes which can indicate delirium?
Altered cognitive function
Inattention
Disorganised thinking
Altered perception
Altered physical function
Altered social behaviour
Altered level of consciousness
What is the name of the criteria?
The CAM criteria
What is the CAM criteria signs of delirium?
- Inattentive
-Disorganised thinking - Altered level of consciousness
What are the symptoms of hyperactive delirium?
- Innapropriate behaviour
- Hallucinations
- Agitation
What are the symptoms of hypoactive delirium ?
- Lethargy
-Low concentration and appetite
What are the predisposing risk factors of delirium?
• Age (>65)
• Pre-existing cognitive impairment
• Previous delirium
• Poor mobility
• Severe current illness, inc. hip fractures and emergency operations
• Visual or hearing problems
• Certain drugs (e.g. benzodiazepines)
• Substance misuse (e.g. alcohol)
• Social isolation
What are the triggers/precipitates for delirium?
• Infection
• DRUGS - culprits like opioid analgesics, steroids, sedatives
•Changes to previous medication regime (new drugs or cessation of a drug)
• Surgery
• Substance misuse or withdrawal (e.g. alcohol, barbiturates)
• Intra-cerebral Insult e.g. head injury, stroke
• Cardiac: heart failure, myocardial infarction
• Metabolic: electrolyte abnormalities, hypo/hyperglycaemia, hepatic/renal impairment
• Deficiencies: vitamin B12, folate, thiamine, vitamin D
• Endocrine: hypo/hyperthyroidism
• Urinary retention, constipation
• Change in environment
• Dehydration
What are the neurological causes of falls
What are the environmental causes of falls?
What are the unmodifiable causes of falls
What are the chemical causes of falls
What are the cardiovascular causes of falls?
What are the neuromuscular causes of falls?
What are the ‘other’ causes of falls?
