RT Book, Section
A1 Stephens, Caroline
A2 Williams, Brie A.
A2 Chang, Anna
A2 Ahalt, Cyrus
A2 Chen, Helen
A2 Conant, Rebecca
A2 Landefeld, C. Seth
A2 Ritchie, Christine
A2 Yukawa, Michi
SR Print(0)
ID 1100069295
T1 Evaluating Confusion in Older Adults
T2 Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Geriatrics, 2e
YR 2014
FD 2014
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 978-0-07-179208-0
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1100069295
RD 2024/04/19
AB Confusion  is  a  common  presenting  problem  in  many  older  patients,  but  it  is  not  a  normal  part  of  aging.  Most  adults  experience  some  cognitive  changes  as  they  age,  such  as  decreases  in  the  speed  of  processing  information,  lessened  spontaneous  recall,  and  small  decreases  in  executive  skills.  Confusion,  however,  is  not  normal  aging.  When  an  older  patient  presents  with  confusion,  it  is  important  to  determine  whether  the  confusion  is  acute  or  chronic  in  nature.  For  example,  is  it  a  recent  change  (days  to  weeks)  or  has  the  change  been  more  chronic  and  progressive  in  nature  (months  to  years)?  Sometimes  the  change  will  be  manifested  as  an  acute  or  sudden  change  in  behavior,  such  as  increased  agitation,  aggression,  wandering,  or  falls,  or  a  change  in  function.  Understanding  the  nature  and  time  line  of  the  events  will  give  you  an  indication  regarding  the  potential  underlying  diagnosis.