Which assessment finding would the nurse expect to see in a patient experiencing delirium? (Select all that apply)
Agnosia
Impaired level of consciousness
Disorientation to place, and time
Apathy
Wandering attention
Correct Answer : A,B,C,E
A. Delirium can cause difficulty recognizing objects, people, or places, which is a form of agnosia.
B. Patients with delirium often have fluctuating levels of consciousness, ranging from lethargy to hyperalertness.
C. Delirium commonly affects orientation, causing confusion about where they are or what time it is.
D. Apathy is more characteristic of depression or dementia rather than the acute, fluctuating attention seen in delirium.
E. Patients with delirium often display inattention and an inability to focus, leading to distractibility and wandering attention.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Delirium is usually acute and reversible, especially when caused by an underlying condition like a UTI.
B. Delirium in elderly patients is often secondary to an acute illness such as a urinary tract infection. Treatment of the underlying cause typically resolves the confusion, so this statement provides accurate and reassuring information to the family.
C. While the provider can give a formal prognosis, the nurse can provide evidence-based, general information about delirium recovery.
D. While supportive, this does not address the family’s question about recovery.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. A busy family may experience stress, but this alone is not the greatest risk factor for abuse.
B. Multiple caregivers can sometimes create inconsistency in care, but it is not the primary factor.
C. Rural living may limit access to resources, but dementia itself poses a greater risk.
D. Dementia (especially Alzheimer’s disease) significantly increases vulnerability to abuse because of impaired memory, communication, and judgment, which limit the ability to report or stop mistreatment.
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