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Flashcards in delirium Deck (8)
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1
Q

definition of delirium?

A

altered mental status in which at least 2 of the following 6 symptoms:

  1. disturbance of consciousness (hypervigilent or somnolent)
  2. perceptual disturbance
  3. sleep-wake cycle disturbance
  4. increase/decrease in psychomotor activity
  5. disorientation to person/place or time
  6. memory impairment
2
Q

mild delirium may present as?

A

disturbed sleep and mild tachycardia (sundowner’s syndrome)

3
Q

severe delirium may present as?

A

patient disoriented, unable to follow simple requests

4
Q

what are the 4 features of confusion assessment method?

A

acute onset and fluctuating course

inattention

disorganized thinking

altered level of consiousness (orientation)

THREE OF four must be met for delirium

5
Q

what is the focus of the diagnostic evaluation?

A

finding the cause!

6
Q

labs for delirum?

A

LFT, TSH, UA, B12, electrolytes, bUN, creatinine, glucose

7
Q

first line treatments for delirium?

A

typical anti-psychotics, haloperidol

atypical anti-psychotics
quetiapine
risperidone

8
Q

unsupervised delirious patients frequently suffer ___

A

falls