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11 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What is delirium? |
Syndrome which involves disturbance of consciousness accompanied by ACUTE change in cognition |
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How is delirium different to dementia? |
- Acute change (vs gradual change) - happens over hours/days (vs happen over years) - decreased awareness and inability to remember recent events (vs generally alert in early stages) - symptoms fluctuate throughout the day (vs no fluctuation) |
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What does clouding of consciousness mean? |
A reduced level of alertness |
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What are some causes of delirium? |
- physiological disease - metabolic disease - cerebral disease - alcohol or drug withdrawal |
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What could a person with delirium who is mumbling incoherently to themselves indicate? |
Disorganised thinking |
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What is hyperactive delirium? |
- hyperalert - uncooperative - difficult to care for (must be audible and viable to staff) - agitated - illusions and hallucinations |
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What is hyperactive delirium? |
- hyperalert - uncooperative - difficult to care for (must be audible and visible to staff) - agitated - illusions and hallucinations |
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What is hypoactive delirium like? |
- drowsy and napping a lot - missing meals and meds - doesn’t ask for care - easy to miss |
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How is delirium diagnosed? |
Using confusion assessment method (CAM) - orientation to time, place and person - level of understanding - consciousness |
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How is delirium diagnosed? |
Using confusion assessment method (CAM) - orientation to time, place and person - level of understanding - consciousness |
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What are the nursing interventions for delirium? |
- safety!! - single room and watch - control environment to prevent sensory overload - manage confusion - promote sleep and nutrition |
