Delerium

Question 1

Delerium causes include:

Answer 1

Certain treatment side effects

Alcohol or drug use or withdrawal

Medical condition: stroke, heart attack, worsening lung or liver disease, injury from a fall

Electrolyte imbalance: low sodium or low calcium

Severe, long-lasting illness

Fever and a new infection

UTI, pneumonia, flu, covid-19

exposure to a toxin: CO, cyanide

poor nutrition or loss of too much body fluid

lack of sleep or severe emotional distress

pain

surgery or another medical procedure that requires being put in a sleep-like state

Question 2

Types of delerium?

Answer 2

Hyperactive delerium: easiest type to regonise. restless and pace the room, anxious, have rapid mood swings or see things that aren’t there. often resist care

Hypoactive delerium: may be inactive or reduced activity, sluggish or drowsy, seem to be in a daze. dont interact with family or others

Mixed delerium: involve both types of derium. the person may quickly switch back and forth from being restless and sluggish

Question 3

Delerium and dementia may be hard to differentiate. Some differences between the symptoms of delerium and dementia include:

Answer 3

Onset: delerium occurs within a short time (day or 2)

Attention: The ability to stay focused or maintain focus is impaired with delirium. A person in the early stages of dementia remains generally alert.

Rapid changes in symptoms: Delerium symptoms can come and go several times during the day, while people with dementia have better and worse times of date, their memory and thinking skills typically stay at a constant level.