RT Book, Section
A1 Kasper, Dennis L.
A1 Fauci, Anthony S.
A1 Hauser, Stephen L.
A1 Longo, Dan L.
A1 Jameson, J. Larry
A1 Loscalzo, Joseph
SR Print(0)
ID 1128782005
T1 Confusion, Stupor, and Coma
T2 Harrison's Manual of Medicine, 19e
YR 2016
FD 2016
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9780071828529
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1128782005
RD 2024/04/24
AB APPROACH  TO  THE  PATIENT:  Disorders  of  ConsciousnessDisorders  of  consciousness  are  common;  these  always  signify  a  disorder  of  the  nervous  system.  Assessment  should  determine  the  level  of  consciousness  (drowsy,  stuporous,  comatose)  and/or  content  of  consciousness  (confusion,  perseveration,  hallucinations).  Confusion  is  a  lack  of  clarity  in  thinking  with  inattentiveness;  delirium  is  used  to  describe  an  acute  confusional  state;  stupor,  a  state  in  which  vigorous  stimuli  are  needed  to  elicit  a  response;  coma,  a  condition  of  unresponsiveness.  Pts  in  such  states  are  usually  seriously  ill,  and  etiologic  factors  must  be  assessed  (Tables  16-1  and  16-2).