Flashcards in Delerium Deck (7)
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1
8 signs of delirium using the the letters of DELIRIUM...
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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Causes include?
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
3
Differentials?
Anxiety and schizophrenia (however delirium is far more common)
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What tests would you do?
FBC, U+E, LFT, BMs, ABG, urine dip stick, CXR, blood cultures, ECG
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Management?
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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If it persists after disease has finished is it delirium?
It can be, especially in elderly symptoms of delirium may persist for several weeks after
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