Dissecting Altered Mental Status: Challenges of Care in the ED & ICU – Joyce Campbell

Whether in the ED or ICU, nurses have a daunting challenge of recognizing behavior which can essentially be due to a life-threatening condition. This seminar will assist you to identify this behavioral marker and explore the causative complexities of life- threatening conditions which present as altered mental status. You will leave better prepared to provide interventions to alleviate causative problems; thereby in many situations be able to prevent worsening of the patient’s condition and potentially save a life.

OBJECTIVES

• Identify the ABCs of the initial assessment and stabilization of life-threatening problems.
• Describe the clinical manifestations of the most common and serious causes of altered mental status.
• Differentiate between delirium, dementia and psychosis.
• Describe pertinent aspects of the history and physical exam.
• Outline immediate interventions for rapidly reversible causes of AMS.
• Discuss clinical practice guidelines for managing pain, agitation and delirium in the ICU.