Altered Mental Status - Assignment Example

The Diagnosis of Altered Mental Status Affiliation with more information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contactThe Diagnosis of Altered Mental StatusIntroduction:Altered Mental Status can be perceived as a mental health problem in which the patient demonstrates mental disorders such as “impaired cognition, diminished attention and reduced awareness” and, besides, his or her level of consciousness may keep altering (Kanich et al, 2002, p.613). Evidence suggests that it is one of the major and common problems found in emergency departments and that “4% to 10%” of patients manifest its symptoms (p.613). It can occur in patients of all age groups but in younger adult it is caused by “traumatic and toxicologic” reasons while in elderly adults this may entail as a result of “neurologic etiologies” (p.616). Two primary components constitute the condition of altered mental status such as: consciousness level of the patient or arousal and the “content of consciousness” (Wilber, 2006, p.300). Diagnosis Criteria:Impairment of cognition is one of the most common diagnoses for AMS, especially in the elderly population, and “10% to 20%” of community dwellers as well as “48%” of residents in nursing homes are found to be ailing from this condition (p.301). AMS manifests in different forms in patients across various age groups, and this paper will focus on three major diagnoses of the disease as under: Delirium: Delirium, a delicate condition found in the elderly people, is characterized by acute and “fluctuating change” in the process of cognition, which entails impairment to consciousness and attention (p.301). One of the most significant risk factors associated with delirium include both disability as well as mortality, and evidence suggests that “22% 76%” of the patients during hospitalization confronts these risks (p.302). Delirium in patients can be assessed by observing the disturbances in the level of consciousness, changes occurring in the degree of cognition as well as from evaluating whether these changes are occurring within a “short period of time” (p.302). Disturbances in the level of consciousness in the patient may manifest in terms of him or her becoming lethargic but will not wind up in spells of stupor.

On the other hand, changes in the level of cognition demonstrate in terms of deficits in “short-term memory” and some patients may also develop disorientation. The disturbances in consciousness and changes in cognition will occur rapidly and, therefore, are easy to recognize. Tools such as “Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)” and “Differential Diagnosis” can be effective in the diagnosis of the condition of delirium in patients with AMS (p.304).Dementia: Patients with dementia demonstrate a trend of a “steady decline” in short term memory in the early stages and in long term memory subsequently (Rodon, 2011, p.11). The loss of memory may affect their social as well as work life and the routine activities.

Assessment of the problem is usually done through observation. Such patients need constant supervision either by family members or other caregivers. In most cases, they tend to “attempt to hide” the impairment and it becomes necessary to conduct detailed clinical examination to confirm the presence of dementia in patients (p.12). ReferencesKanich, W. et al. (2002). Altered Mental Status: Evaluation and Etiology in the ED. American Journal of Emergency Medicine, Vol.20 (7): pp.613-617Rodon, R. E. (2011).

Altered Mental Status in the Urgent Care Patient. The Journal of Urgent Care Medicine, Vol.6 (3): pp.9-14Wilber, S. T. (2006). Altered Mental Status in Older Emergency Department Patients. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America, Vol. 24: pp.299-316.