Altered Mental Status Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Altered Mental Status - Assignment showcaseTwo primary components constitute the condition of altered mental status such as intelligence level of the patient or arousal and the content of consciousness (Wilber, 2006, p.300).Impairment of comprehension is one of the close to 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 demonstrates in diametrical forms in patients across various age groups, and this paper will focus on three major diagnoses of the disease as underDelirium, 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 close to significant risk factors associated with delirium include both disability as well as mortality, and prove suggests that 22% 76% of the patient s 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