Delirium Flashcards
What is delirium?
It is a condition in which there is sudden worsening in a person’s mental state
It is often characterised by disturbances in consciousness, attention, perception, thinking, memory, psychomotor behaviour and emotion
How long does delirium usually take to present?
1 to 2 days
What are the three classifications of delirium?
Hyperactive Delirium
Hypoactive Delirium
Mixed Delirium
What are the five clinical features of hyperactive delirium?
Restlessness
Agitation
Rapid Mood Changes
Visual Hallucinations
A Refusal To Co-Operate With Care
What are the five clinical features of hypoactive delirium?
Inactivity
Reduced Motor Activity
Withdrawnness
Drowsiness
Poor Concentration
What is mixed delirium?
It includes both hyperactive and hypoactive delirium, in which individuals may switch back and forth from the two states
What are the nine causes of delirium?
Alcohol/Drug Intoxication
Metabolic Imbalances
Drug Administration
Chronic Disease
Infection
Dehydration
Malnutrition
Toxin Exposure
Sleep Deprivation
What are the three key features of delirium clinical features?
Rapid onset
Short-lasting durations
Diurnal fluctuations
What are the eight clinical features of delirium?
Impaired Consciousness
Poor Concentration
Disorientation
Cognitive Impairment
Visual Hallucinations/Delusions
Sleep Disturbances
Psychomotor Disturbances
Emotional Disturbances
What are the two conservative management options of delirium?
It involves providing individuals with a safe, orientated environment surrounded by educated relatives, medical and nursing staff
It involves correcting the causative factors, such as reviewing medication, IV fluids, administrating antibiotics, etc
What is the pharmacolgoical management option of delirium?
Antipsychotics
When are antipsychotics used to manage delerium?
They are recommended when the underlying cause and environmental modification are insufficent to manage delerium
Name four antipsychotics used to manage delirium
Olanzapine
Risperidone
Quetiapine
Haloperidol
What drug class do we try to avoid in delirium?
Sedatives
In what two circumstances would we consider using sedatives to manage delirium?
Severe Agitation
It is needed to facilitate investigations or treatment
