Table 2.
Proportion of Correct Answers on the Delirium Knowledge Questionnaire in Healthcare Workers in the Pretest and Posttest Phase (n = 59)
| Items | Pretest phase (n = 59) | Posttest phase (n = 59) |
|---|---|---|
| Items related to knowledge about the presentation, symptoms and outcomes of delirium, n correct (%) | ||
| 1. Fluctuation between orientation and disorientation is a typical feature of delirium | 40 (67.8) | 46 (78) |
| 2. Symptoms of depression may mimic delirium | 47 (79.7) | 54 (91.5) |
| 3. Patients never remember episodes of delirium | 41 (69.5) | 52 (88.1) |
| 4. Delirium never lasts for more than a few hours | 53 (89.8) | 57 (96.6) |
| 5. A patient who is lethargic and difficult to rouse does certainly not have a delirium | 51 (86.4) | 55 (93.2) |
| 6. Patients with delirium are always physically and/or verbally aggressive | 49 (83.1) | 55 (93.2) |
| 7. Patients with delirium have a higher mortality rate | 35 (59.3) | 50 (84.7) |
| 8. Behavioral changes in the course of the day are typical of delirium | 48 (81.4) | 55 (93.2) |
| 9. A patient with delirium is likely to be easily distracted and/or have difficulty following a conversation | 53 (89.8) | 58 (98.3) |
| 10. Patients with delirium will often experience perceptual disturbances (e.g., visual and/or auditory hallucinations) | 58 (98.3) | 59 (100) |
| Items related to knowledge about causes and risk factors of delirium | ||
| 11. A patient admitted with pneumonia and having diabetes, visual and auditory disturbances has the same risk for delirium as a patient admitted with pneumonia without co-morbidities | 31 (52.5) | 44 (74.6) |
| 12. The risk for delirium increases with age | 47 (79.7) | 51 (86.4) |
| 13. A patient with impaired vision is at increased risk of delirium | 36 (61.0) | 55 (93.2) |
| 14. The greater the number of medications a patient is taking, the greater their risk of delirium | 31 (52.5) | 41 (69.5) |
| 15. A urinary catheter reduces the risk of delirium | 49 (83.1) | 49 (83.1) |
| 16. Poor nutrition increases the risk of delirium | 48 (81.4) | 59 (100) |
| 17. Dementia is an important risk factor for delirium | 45 (76.3) | 48 (81.4) |
| 18. Diabetes is an important risk factor for delirium | 37 (62.7) | 21 (35.6) |
| 19. Dehydration can be a risk factor for delirium | 56 (94.9) | 59 (100) |
| 20. Delirium is generally caused by alcohol withdrawal | 56 (94.9) | 56 (94.9) |
| 21. A family history of dementia predisposes a patient to delirium | 44 (74.6) | 47 (81.0) |
| Items related to knowledge about delirium prevention and management strategies | ||
| 22. Treatment of delirium always includes sedation | 49 (83.1) | 54 (91.5) |
| 23. Daily use of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the best way for diagnosing delirium | 36 (61.0) | 35 (59.3) |
| 24. Providing as much staff as possible to take care at the patients’ bedside is an important strategy in the prevention of delirium | 59 (100) | 59 (100) |
| 25. The use of physical restraints in patients at risk for delirium is the best way to ensure their safety | 53 (59.8) | 56 (94.9) |
| 26. Encouraging patients to (correctly) wear their visual/hearing aids is necessary to prevent delirium | 46 (78.0) | 59 (100) |
| 27. Adequate hydration is an important strategy in the prevention of delirium | 55 (93.2) | 59 (100) |
| 28. The maintenance of a normal sleep-wake cycle (e.g., avoidance of sleep interruption) is an important strategy in the prevention of delirium | 55 (93.2) | 58 (98.3) |
| 29. The use of haloperidol in preoperative surgical fracture patients is a way to prevent delirium | 54 (91.5) | 51 (86.4) |
| 30. The stimulation of patients to perform different activities at the same time is a way to prevent delirium | 59 (100) | 58 (98.3) |
| 31. Keeping instructions for patients as simple as possible is important in the prevention of delirium | 50 (84.7) | 52 (88.1) |
| 32. Early activation/ambulation (e.g., getting patients out of bed as soon as possible) of patients is an important strategy in the prevention of delirium | 40 (67.8) | 55 (93.2) |
| 33. Providing patients with familiar objects (e.g., photos, clock, newspaper) is important to prevent sensory deprivation | 48 (81.4) | 55 (93.2) |
| 34. Avoid eye contact in the prevention of delirium because it can be seen as a threat | 59 (100) | 57 (96.6) |
| 35. Keeping oral contact with the patient is an important strategy in the prevention of delirium | 46 (78) | 53 (89.8) |