Delirium True Or False Trivia Quiz

1. Behavioural changes during the day, between orientation and disorientation, are typical of delirium.

True

False

Behavioural changes during the day, such as fluctuating levels of orientation and disorientation, are commonly observed in individuals experiencing delirium. Delirium is a state of acute confusion and cognitive impairment that often occurs as a result of underlying medical conditions or medication side effects. These changes in behavior can include confusion, disorientation, agitation, hallucinations, and fluctuations in attention and awareness. Therefore, it is accurate to say that behavioural changes during the day, between orientation and disorientation, are typical of delirium.

Explanation

Behavioural changes during the day, such as fluctuating levels of orientation and disorientation, are commonly observed in individuals experiencing delirium. Delirium is a state of acute confusion and cognitive impairment that often occurs as a result of underlying medical conditions or medication side effects. These changes in behavior can include confusion, disorientation, agitation, hallucinations, and fluctuations in attention and awareness. Therefore, it is accurate to say that behavioural changes during the day, between orientation and disorientation, are typical of delirium.

2. A patient who is hard to sedate may be experiencing delirium.

True

False

A patient who is hard to sedate may be experiencing delirium because delirium is a state of mental confusion and agitation that can cause restlessness and resistance to sedation. Delirium can be caused by various factors such as medication side effects, infections, or underlying medical conditions. When a patient is experiencing delirium, it can be challenging to achieve sedation as their mental state may prevent them from relaxing or responding to sedatives effectively. Therefore, it is true that a patient who is hard to sedate may be experiencing delirium.

Explanation

A patient who is hard to sedate may be experiencing delirium because delirium is a state of mental confusion and agitation that can cause restlessness and resistance to sedation. Delirium can be caused by various factors such as medication side effects, infections, or underlying medical conditions. When a patient is experiencing delirium, it can be challenging to achieve sedation as their mental state may prevent them from relaxing or responding to sedatives effectively. Therefore, it is true that a patient who is hard to sedate may be experiencing delirium.

3. A patient who seems depressed and complies with interventions may be experiencing delirium.

True

False

A patient who appears depressed and complies with interventions may be experiencing delirium because delirium can present with symptoms similar to depression, such as low mood, apathy, and withdrawal. However, unlike depression, delirium is characterized by an acute onset and fluctuating course. Delirium can also cause confusion, disorientation, and changes in attention and cognition. It is important to consider delirium as a potential cause when evaluating a patient who displays depressive symptoms but also demonstrates compliance with interventions, as addressing the underlying delirium may improve the patient's condition.

Explanation

A patient who appears depressed and complies with interventions may be experiencing delirium because delirium can present with symptoms similar to depression, such as low mood, apathy, and withdrawal. However, unlike depression, delirium is characterized by an acute onset and fluctuating course. Delirium can also cause confusion, disorientation, and changes in attention and cognition. It is important to consider delirium as a potential cause when evaluating a patient who displays depressive symptoms but also demonstrates compliance with interventions, as addressing the underlying delirium may improve the patient's condition.

4. Parents reporting a change in their child's normal behaviour may suggest delirium.

True

False

A change in a child's normal behavior can be an indication of delirium. Delirium is a state of confusion and disorientation that can occur as a result of an underlying medical condition or medication side effects. It can cause changes in behavior, such as agitation, restlessness, or withdrawal. Therefore, if parents report a change in their child's normal behavior, it may suggest the presence of delirium.

Explanation

A change in a child's normal behavior can be an indication of delirium. Delirium is a state of confusion and disorientation that can occur as a result of an underlying medical condition or medication side effects. It can cause changes in behavior, such as agitation, restlessness, or withdrawal. Therefore, if parents report a change in their child's normal behavior, it may suggest the presence of delirium.

5. Delirium is most likely to develop in the first 48 hours of PICU admission.

True

False

Delirium is a common occurrence in critically ill patients, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU). It is characterized by acute confusion, disorientation, and changes in cognition. Various factors contribute to the development of delirium, such as underlying medical conditions, medications, and environmental factors. The first 48 hours of admission to the pediatric ICU (PICU) are considered a high-risk period for delirium development due to the stress, unfamiliar environment, and invasive procedures that patients experience during this time. Therefore, it is likely that delirium will develop within the first 48 hours of PICU admission.

Explanation

Delirium is a common occurrence in critically ill patients, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU). It is characterized by acute confusion, disorientation, and changes in cognition. Various factors contribute to the development of delirium, such as underlying medical conditions, medications, and environmental factors. The first 48 hours of admission to the pediatric ICU (PICU) are considered a high-risk period for delirium development due to the stress, unfamiliar environment, and invasive procedures that patients experience during this time. Therefore, it is likely that delirium will develop within the first 48 hours of PICU admission.

6. Delirium screening requires the patient to be awake enough to respond to interactions with parents or clinicians. COMFORT ≥12.

True

False

The statement is true because delirium screening involves assessing the patient's level of consciousness and ability to respond to interactions with parents or clinicians. The COMFORT scale is commonly used to measure the patient's comfort level, with a score of 12 or higher indicating that the patient is awake enough to participate in the screening process. Therefore, the patient needs to be awake enough to respond in order for the delirium screening to be effective.

Explanation

The statement is true because delirium screening involves assessing the patient's level of consciousness and ability to respond to interactions with parents or clinicians. The COMFORT scale is commonly used to measure the patient's comfort level, with a score of 12 or higher indicating that the patient is awake enough to participate in the screening process. Therefore, the patient needs to be awake enough to respond in order for the delirium screening to be effective.

7. Only sicker patients with risk factors can develop delirium.

True

False

Delirium can affect individuals of any health status, not just sicker patients with risk factors. Delirium is a state of acute confusion and disorientation that can occur as a result of various factors such as medication side effects, infections, or metabolic imbalances. While certain risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing delirium, it is not exclusive to sicker patients. Therefore, the statement is false.

Explanation

Delirium can affect individuals of any health status, not just sicker patients with risk factors. Delirium is a state of acute confusion and disorientation that can occur as a result of various factors such as medication side effects, infections, or metabolic imbalances. While certain risk factors may increase the likelihood of developing delirium, it is not exclusive to sicker patients. Therefore, the statement is false.

8. Ventilated patients are unlikely to suffer from delirium.

True

False

Ventilated patients are actually more likely to suffer from delirium. Delirium is a common complication in critically ill patients, especially those who require mechanical ventilation. Factors such as sedation, immobility, and sleep deprivation can contribute to the development of delirium in ventilated patients. Therefore, the statement that ventilated patients are unlikely to suffer from delirium is false.

Explanation

Ventilated patients are actually more likely to suffer from delirium. Delirium is a common complication in critically ill patients, especially those who require mechanical ventilation. Factors such as sedation, immobility, and sleep deprivation can contribute to the development of delirium in ventilated patients. Therefore, the statement that ventilated patients are unlikely to suffer from delirium is false.

9. Young children (<2-year-old) have higher risk for developing delirium.

True

False

Young children (

Explanation

Young children (

10. Delirium in children always manifests as a hyperactive, confused state.

True

False

Delirium in children can manifest in various ways, including hyperactive and confused states, but it can also present as hypoactive or mixed states. Therefore, it is not always the case that delirium in children manifests as a hyperactive, confused state.

Explanation

Delirium in children can manifest in various ways, including hyperactive and confused states, but it can also present as hypoactive or mixed states. Therefore, it is not always the case that delirium in children manifests as a hyperactive, confused state.

11. Screening of delirium should happen within the first few hours of your shift.

True

False

Screening of delirium should not necessarily happen within the first few hours of a shift. Delirium screening can be done at any time during a shift, depending on the patient's condition and the healthcare provider's assessment. It is important to regularly screen for delirium in order to promptly identify and manage this acute confusional state.

Explanation

Screening of delirium should not necessarily happen within the first few hours of a shift. Delirium screening can be done at any time during a shift, depending on the patient's condition and the healthcare provider's assessment. It is important to regularly screen for delirium in order to promptly identify and manage this acute confusional state.