Delirium
Topic: Mental health
An acute disturbance of attention and awareness that develops over hours to days and fluctuates during the day. It has an underlying cause such as infection, drugs, fluid or electrolyte imbalance, hypoxia or alcohol withdrawal, and is often reversible. It is common in older adults and can be mistaken for dementia. Screen with a tool such as the CAM, report the change, and support orientation, sleep, glasses and hearing aids, and safety.
- Also known as:
- Acute confusional state
- In Turkish:
- Deliryum
What does Delirium mean?
Delirium is part of the Mental health topic in nursing. Students meet it in class, on clinical placements and while preparing for exams.
Search the whole glossary, add terms to your sets and review them in the Finito Nursing app.