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Delirium

Dongsheng Jiang, MS, MD, Juan Qiu, MD, PhD and Joseph P Wiedemer, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • A temporary neurocognitive complication of illness and/or medication(s) manifested by new confusion and impaired attention

  • Requires evaluation to decrease morbidity and mortality

EPIDEMIOLOGY

DIAGNOSIS

  • Delirium is a diagnosis of exclusion made using a careful history, behavioral observation, and cognitive assessment.

  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition diagnos...

TREATMENT

  • Establish a comprehensive and well coordinated multidisciplinary team to include physicians, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, speech therapists, dieticians, physical/occupational therapis...

REFERENCES

1
Kotfis K, van Diem-Zaal I, Williams Roberson S, et al. The future of intensive care: delirium should no longer be an issue. Crit Care. 2022;26(1):200. doi: 10.1186/s13054-022-04077-y. PMID...

SEE ALSO

  • Dementia; Depression; Substance Use Disorders

  • Algorithm: Delirium

CODES

ICD10

  • R41.0 Disorientation, unspecified

  • F19.931 Oth psychoactive substance use, unsp w withdrawal delirium

  • F10.231 Alcohol dependence with withdrawal delirium

  • F05 Delirium due to known physiological...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • The criteria for delirium include an acute onset of fluctuating mental status, inattention, and either disorganized thinking or altered level of consciousness.

  • Primary treatment for del...

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