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Altered Mental Status Updated 12/2010

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BASICS

  • Description
  • Etiology

DIAGNOSIS

  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis

TREATMENT

  • Pre-hospital
  • Initial Stabilization
  • ED Treatment
  • Medication (Drugs)
  • In-patient Considerations

Ongoing Care

  • Follow-Up Recommendations
The following is an excerpt....
BASICS
Description
  • Dysfunction in either the reticular activating system in the upper brainstem or a large area of one or both cerebral hemispheres
  • Definitions:
    • Confusion: A behavioral state of reduced mental clarity, coherence, comprehension, and reasoning
    • Drowsiness: The patient cannot be easily aroused by touch or noise and cannot maintain alertness for some time.
    • Lethargy: Depressed mental status in which the patient may appear wakeful but has depressed awareness of self and environment globally; cannot be aroused to full function
    • Stupor: The patient can be awakened only by vigorous stimuli, and an effort to avoid uncomfortable or aggravating stimulation is displayed.
    • Coma: The patient cannot be aroused by stimulation and no purposeful attempt is made to avoid painful stimuli.
    • Delirium ...

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