A nurse suspects delirium in a patient. Which finding supports this suspicion?
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Correct answer: Disorientation developing within hours
Delirium develops rapidly—often within hours or days—and fluctuates, distinguishing it from the slow, progressive decline of dementia.
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More Cognitive Disorders: Dementia and Delirium questions
- Which nursing intervention helps prevent delirium in an elderly hospitalized patient?
- Which communication technique is most effective for interacting with a patient with moderate dementia?
- Which physiological change most commonly contributes to delirium in hospitalized elderly patients?
- What is the best nursing approach for a family frustrated with a loved one’s dementia-related forgetfulness?
- A nurse observes that a patient with delirium is attempting to climb out of bed repeatedly. What is the priority action?
- Which statement best differentiates delirium from dementia?