Delirium is characterized by a . - CORRECT ANSWER disturbance in attention, consciousness, and cognition.
the HALLMARKof delirium is a clouding of
... [Show More] consciousness, with an inability to focus, sustain, or shift attention, as well as a change in cognition, including impairment in short-term memory, disorientation, and perceptual disturbances.
Diagnostic Criteria for Delirium - CORRECT ANSWER A. A disturbance in attention and awareness
B. The disturbance develops over a SHORT period of time (usually hours to a few days),
C. An additional disturbance in cognition (e.g., memory deficit, disorientation, language, visuospatial ability, or perception).
Patients with an underlying dementia are at even _____________ risk for development of delirium in the setting of acute illness, which is known as delirium superimposed on dementia - CORRECT ANSWER GREATER
Delirium occurs acutely during hours to days and is characterized by - CORRECT ANSWER fluctuations in mental status during the course of the day.
Clinical subtypes of delirium that have been identified include - CORRECT ANSWER hyperactive, hypoactive, and mixed variantS
hyperactive subtype, manifestS - CORRECT ANSWER with agitation and restlessness, is often thought of as the typical presentation of delirium
The hypoactive subtype includes - CORRECT ANSWER patients who have decreased alertness, sparse or slow speech, lethargy, slowed movements, and apathy. These patients may be somnolent or stuporous.
These patients often are NOT identified as being delirious UNTIL THEY BECOME AGITATED AND CONFUSED with more symptoms of the hyperactive state.
Which diagnoses in the frail nursing home patient often manifest with an altered mental status as the only indicator of an underlying problem. - CORRECT ANSWER Urinary tract infection and pneumonia
Which medication class has long been implicated as a risk factor for delirium, - CORRECT ANSWER Anticholinergic medications
Which tool is now the most widely used tool for evaluation of the presence of delirium - CORRECT ANSWER The Confusion Assessment Method
Lab work for the patient with delirium - CORRECT ANSWER CBC and differential
ESR
Platelet count
Serum electrolytes
Serum glucose
Calcium
Magnesium
Phosphorus
BUN
Creatinine
LFTs
Vitamin B12 [Show Less]