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
What is the nursing management of Delirium?
- Treatment is important: potentially reversible
- Focus on eliminating precipitating factors
- If secondary to infection: antibiotic therapy needed
- Reorientation and behavior interventions (okay to do this)
What is Dementia?
- Chronic and progressive deterioration
- Gradual decline in memory, language and higher executive functioning
- Interferes w/social and daily functions
- Usually alert and aware
What is the Etiology and patho of Dementia?
- Treatable and untreatable conditions
-Prolonged exposure may be irreversible
Most common conditions
1. Neurodegenerative conditions
2. Vascular disease
3. Toxic metabolic or nutritional diseases
4. Immunologic or systimic conditions
How is dementia dx?
- Focus on determining the cause
- Medical, neurologic and psychological history
- Rule-out other medical conditions
What is nursing management of dementia?
Tx of risk factors
