TABLE 2.

RN RESPONSES TO OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS RELATED TO CAUSES AND MANAGEMENT OF DELIRIUM

Vignette	Action to Take	Suspected Cause
Dementia	Reorientation. Monitor patient frequently to ensure safety, reorient patient as needed. Notify physician, reorient patient often.	Early Alzheimer’s. Being in a strange environment. Possibly medications. Dementia. Aging. Possibly infection, early Alzheimer’s disease.
Hypoactive Delirium	Inform the physician. Call the physician. Notify the physician.	Overmedication, dehydration, constipation. Delirium. Could be sundowners syndrome or medication related.
Hyperactive Delirium	Call family to stay with patient instead of restraining. Call physician. Possibly restrain if in danger of hurting self. Take vital signs and check pulse oximeter.	Possible mental disorder, or sleep deprivation. Could be alcohol withdrawal. Infection. Sundowners.
Hyperactive DSD	Call physician, try to calm patient, restrain prn [as needed]. Reorient her, phone family and physician. Safety measures, observation.”	Change in health, sleep disturbance. Change in surroundings. Worsening Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Hypoactive DSD	Check patient’s blood sugar or electrolytes. Call physician, check vital signs. Reorient, notify physician, patient safety, hydration/ nutrition/hygiene.	Aging, could be infection. Gradual changes which occur with Alzheimer’s type patients. Depression, too many medications.