Final/new Delirium

Question 1

describe delirium

Answer 1

a disturbance of consciousness:
* impaired attention,
* PLUS disorganized thinking OR perceptual disturbances
* develops acutely, fluctuating course
* requires evidence of an underlying cause

Question 2

common causes of delirium

Answer 2

electrolyte imbalance,
toxins,
days without stimulation,
overstimulated:
- lights, sounds,
- new, unfamiliar situations,
- distracting voices

Question 3

in general terms, describe what to assess for that may be causes of delirium

Answer 3

certain chronic conditions,
certain acute comorbidities,
certain medications,
older patient’s reduced drug clearance

Question 4

identify sensory-related symptoms of delirium

Answer 4

visual/auditory hallucinations and illusions,
failure to perceive internal body cues

Question 5

briefly define hallucinations

Answer 5

sensing something that is not there
(dead uncle is in the room)

Question 6

briefly define illusions

Answer 6

seeing something as something else
(IV line is a snake!)

Question 7

describe behaviors associated with delirium

Answer 7

inattention,
disturbed psychomotor response,
speech problems,
unpredictable shifts in mood,
sleep problems

Question 8

describe thinking-related symptoms of delirium

Answer 8

disorganized/disoriented,
hallucination, illusions,
impaired judgement/insight,
sudden shifts in mood,
hyper-vigilant/fearfulness

Question 9

important subjective assessment for suspected delirium

Answer 9

family notes “changed behavior”

Question 10

identify key electrolyte imbalance associated with delirium

Answer 10

hyponatremia

Question 11

describe the Confusion Assessment Tool

Answer 11

assesses pattern in the four features of delirium
requires 1 AND 2
* 1) acute onset, fluctuating course
* 2) inattention
either of 3 OR 4
* 3) disorganized thinking
* 4) altered level of consciousness

Question 12

safety-related interventions for delirium

Answer 12

side rails, call bell,
skin sleeve for IV lines,
ambulation with assistance,
soft-release safety belt,
reorient w/o increasing agitation

Question 13

how to communicate with a confused patient

Answer 13

frequent face-to-face contact,
speak calmly, simply, directly,
explain care,
limit choices/options,
reorient

Question 14

describe the onset of delirium (in one word)

Answer 14

acute

Question 15

describe the duration of delirium

Answer 15

short, hours to days

Question 16

describe LOC of delirium (one word)

Answer 16

impaired