2. Confusion

Question 1

What syndromes can cause confusion?

Answer 1

Delirium, dementia, mental impairment, psychosis, dysphasia

Question 2

What is delirium?

Answer 2

An acute impairment in cognitive ability together with impaired consciousness

Question 3

What is dementia?

Answer 3

Chronic progressive cognitive impairment with intact consciousness

Question 4

What are the components of AMTS?

Answer 4

What time is it?
What year are we in?
How old are you?
What building are you in?
Who am I? Who is that person (e.g nurse)?
What is your date of birth?
What year did WW2 end?
Who is the current PM?
Please count from 20 to 1
Can you remember the address I told you?

Question 5

What are infectious causes of confusion?

Answer 5

chest/ urinary infection

Question 6

What are neoplastic causes of confusion?

Answer 6

brain tumour

Question 7

What are traumatic causes of confusion?

Answer 7

Subdural haematoma

Question 8

What drugs may cause confusion?

Answer 8

Diuretics, digoxin, thyroid medication

Question 9

What are some of the signs of sepsis on examination?

Answer 9

Chest- bronchial breathing
Urine- suprapubic tenderness
Cellulitis
Meningitis- neck stiffness, photophobia and purpuric rash

Question 10

What investigations may you request for someone who presented with confusion?

Answer 10

Septic screen, metabolic screen, ECG