A nurse is caring for a group of older adult clients. Which of the following manifestations indicates one of the clients is experiencing delirium?
Explanation & Rationale
Choice A Reason:Attempting to climb out of bed and expressing an urgent need to get home can be indicative of delirium, especially in older adults. Delirium is characterized by an acute change in mental status, which includes confusion, disorientation, and a lack of awareness of one's surroundings¹². This behavior reflects the client's impaired perception of reality and potential disorientation to time and place, which are common in delirium.Choice B Reason:Refusal to get out of bed and a lack of motivation for personal hygiene could suggest depression or a physical ailment rather than delirium. While hypoactive delirium can present with decreased activity and apathy, it is also accompanied by other cognitive impairments, which are not mentioned in this choice.Choice C Reason:Wanting to know the current time despite the presence of a clock may indicate cognitive impairment, but it is not a definitive sign of delirium. It could be related to vision problems, lack of attention, or other cognitive issues not necessarily associated with delirium.Choice D Reason:Requesting extra blankets when the room is adequately warm might suggest discomfort or a subjective feeling of cold, which can be seen in various conditions, including infections or metabolic imbalances, but it is not specific to delirium.