UNIT 2 DELIRIUM/DEMENTIA Flashcards
What is delirium?
State of temporary but acute mental confusion
It is common and sometimes a life-threatening syndrome
It is often preventable and or/reversable.
What is the leading risk factor of delerium?
Dementia
Delirium is a risk factor for subsequent development of waht?
Dementia
What is linked to the onset of delierium?
- Stress
- Surgery
- Sleep deprivation (worse at night)
- Pain and depression (esp. post op older pts)
What systemic illness could lead to delierium?
- Infections
- Cardiovascular
- Endocrine
- Toxic metabolic illness
What primary cerebral diseases could lead to delirium? List 5
- Head injury
- Storke
- Increase ICP
- Infection
- Epilepsy
In the mnemonic D.e.l.i.r.i.u.m for causes of delirium what is the D?
Dementia, dehydration
In the mnemonic D.e.l.i.r.i.u.m for causes of delirium what is the E?
Electrolyte imbalance and emotional stress
In the mnemonic D.e.l.i.r.i.u.m for causes of delirium what is the L?
Lung, liver, heart, kidney, brain
In the mnemonic D.e.l.i.r.i.u.m for causes of delirium what is the first I?
Infection, ICU
In the mnemonic D.e.l.i.r.i.u.m for causes of delirium what is the R?
Rx, drugs
In the mnemonic D.e.l.i.r.i.u.m for causes of delirium what is the second I
Injury, immobility
In the mnemonic D.e.l.i.r.i.u.m for causes of delirium what is the U?
Untreated pain, unfamiliar environment
In the mnemonic D.e.l.i.r.i.u.m for causes of delirium what is the M?
Metabolic disorders
How is delirium dx/tested?
- Hx and physical exam
- ECG
- CT or MRI (if head trauma is suspected)
- Lumbar puncture
- EEG
- Medication- many pts wont say what OTC they take so be sure to be thorough
