dementia are still able to ambulate. Late-stage confusion is not a recognized stage of dementia of the type. Alzheimer’s A new nurse asks the difference between dementia and delirium. The best response is: 1. The cause of delirium is unknown. 2. Delirium develops over several weeks. 3. Delirium is often confused with depression in clients over the age of 60. 4. Delirium is a common occurrence in hospitalized clients over the age of 60. Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: Delirium is an acute rapid-onset condition with an etiology that can be traced to a known cause. Removal of the cause will usually result in complete recovery. Delirium is commonly experienced by hospitalized clients over the age of 60. Delirium is an acute rapid-onset condition with an etiology that can be Rationale 2: traced to a known cause. Removal of the cause will usually result in complete recovery. Delirium is commonly experienced by hospitalized clients over the age of 60. A son brought his 73-year-old widowed father into the emergency room. The client has congestive heart failure but is under the care of a physician and has been in good health. The son was called in by the fire department after they put out a small cooking fire at the home. The firefighters reported that they found the client sitting in a client’s chair mumbling incoherently, unaware of the fire and smoke. The client now appears to be drifting in and out of consciousness and is having problems keeping his attention on any one task. In this situation, the client is probably suffering from: 1. Dementia. 2. Cerebrovascular accident. 3. Delirium. 4. Depression. Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: Delirium is an abrupt-onset type of confusional state marked by disorientation, impaired attention, and fluctuating consciousness. Speech may be slurred and disjointed. Dementia has a slow onset. Depression is not marked by fluctuating consciousness. There are physical symptoms, but fluctuating consciousness is not typical in clients who have experienced cerebrovascular accident.
dementia are still able to ambulate. Late-stage confusion is not a recognized stage of dementia of the Alzheimer’s type. A new nurse asks the difference between dementia and delirium. The best response is: 1. The cause of delirium is unknown. 2. Delirium develops over several weeks. 3. Delirium is often confused with depression in clients over the age of 60. 4. Delirium is a common occurrence in hospitalized clients over the age of 60. Correct Answer: 4 Rationale 1: Delirium is an acute rapid-onset condition with an etiology that can be traced to a known cause. Removal of the cause will usually result in complete recovery. Delirium is commonly experienced by hospitalized clients over the age of 60. Rationale 2: Delirium is an acute rapid-onset condition with an etiology that can be traced to a known cause. Removal of the cause will usually result in complete recovery. Delirium is commonly experienced by hospitalized clients over the age of 60. A son brought his 73-year-old widowed father into the emergency room. The client has congestive heart failure but is under the care of a physician and has been in good health. The son was called in by the fire department after they put out a small cooking fire at the client’s home. The firefighters reported that they found the client sitting in a chair mumbling incoherently, unaware of the fire and smoke. The client now appears to be drifting in and out of consciousness and is having problems keeping his attention on any one task. In this situation, the client is probably suffering from: 1. Dementia. 2. Cerebrovascular accident. 3. Delirium. 4. Depression. Correct Answer: 3 Rationale 1: Delirium is an abrupt-onset type of confusional state marked by disorientation, impaired attention, and fluctuating consciousness. Speech may be slurred and disjointed. Dementia has a slow onset. Depression is not marked by fluctuating consciousness. There are physical symptoms, but fluctuating consciousness is not typical in clients who have experienced cerebrovascular accident.
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