A 73-year-old man has been brought to the emergency department by his daughter and son-in-law due to abrupt and uncharacteristic changes in behavior, including impairments of memory and judgment
The subsequent history and diagnostic testing have resulted in a diagnosis of delirium. Which of the following teaching points about the client's diagnosis should the nurse provide to his family?
A) "Delirium can be caused by a wide variety of factors but most of the changes in behavior and personality are permanent."
B) "If the underlying cause of delirium is identified and treated, most people return to their previous level of functioning."
C) "The treatment that the care team will likely provide is simple rest, which will probably bring about a return to normal."
D) "For many older adults, this is considered to be just a normal part of the aging process."
Ans: B
Delirium is characterized by reversibility, but this does not mean that treatment is not required or that spontaneous resolution occurs. Delirium is never considered a normal, age-related change.
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