Causes of Delirium



Causes of Delirium mnemonic

DELIRIUM

  • Drugs e.g. alcohol, opiates, anticonvulsants, recreational, post-general anesthetic
  • Electrolyte imbalance e.g. hypoglycemia, uremia, liver failure, hypo/hypernatremia
  • Lacking medication/drugs e.g. alcohol withdrawal
  • Infections e.g. encephalitis, meningitis
  • Reduced sensory input e.g. lack of sleep
  • Intracranial e.g. trauma, strokes
  • Urinary/faecal retention
  • Myocardial e.g. MI or pulmonary e.g. pneumonia
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    Another mnemonic
     
    PINCH ME
    • Pain
    • INfection
    • Constipation
    • Hydration
    • Medication
    • Electrolyte imbalance e.g. low calcium / Environment
    I WATCH DEATH
    • Infection – UTI, pneumonia, encephalitis, meningitis
    • Withdrawal – alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbituates
    • Acute metabolic disorder – derranged electrolytes, hepatic, renal failure
    • Trauma – head injury, post-op
    • CNS pathology – stroke, haemorrhage, tumour, seizure
    • Hypoxia – anaemia, cardiac failure, PE
    • Deficiency – vitamin B12, folate, thiamine (B1)
    • Endocrine disorder – thyroid, glucose, parathyroid, adrenal
    • Acute vascular – shock, vasculitis
    • Toxins, substance abuse
    • Heavy metals – mercury, lead

     
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