Etiology: unknown. Impairment of cerebral oxidative metabolism, excess release of dopamine. Dementia is leading risk of delirium, as well as pain and sleep deprivation.
Pathophysiology:
Clinical Manifestations: hypo/hyperactivity, agitation, hallucinations, insomnia, loss of appetite, 2-3 day onset, 1-7 day duration up to months and years.
Diagnostic studies: Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Diagnose and then find cause. Lab tests, physical exams, medication assessment, psychologic history, ECG, UA, basically every possible test.
Nursing/interprofessional management:
Fix the underlying cause, delirium will go away and patient will go back to baseline.