Delerium Flashcards

(7 cards)

1
Q

8 signs of delirium using the the letters of DELIRIUM…

A

Disordered thinking, emotions strong (euphoria, depressed, aggressive), language impaired, illusions/delusions/hallucinations, reversal of sleep-wake cycle, inattention, unaware, memory deficits

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2
Q

Causes include?

A

Pneumonia, UTI, IV line infection, encephalitis, meningitis, opiates, sedatives, anti convulsants, liver failure, stroke, MI, head injury, hypoxia, thiamine or b12 deficiency, post octal phase

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3
Q

Differentials?

A

Anxiety and schizophrenia (however delirium is far more common)

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4
Q

What tests would you do?

A

FBC, U+E, LFT, BMs, ABG, urine dip stick, CXR, blood cultures, ECG

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5
Q

Management?

A

Identify cause, reassure the patient, give them any sensory aids they normally have, keep staff the same, minimise any causative drugs, reassess 1-2 months later

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6
Q

If it persists after disease has finished is it delirium?

A

It can be, especially in elderly symptoms of delirium may persist for several weeks after

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7
Q

What is delirium?

A

Acute reversible global impairment of cognition/awareness/consciousness and behaviour (confusional state)

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