Nonpharmacological treatment of delirium (requires an interdisciplinary approach)
To view the next step in treatment, click each clinical finding for this patient.
- Agitation
- Reduce stress to the patient by providing a safe and quiet environment
- Disorientation
- Provide orientating stimuli (eg, clocks, calendars) that can be seen by the patient. Involve proxies (family, caregivers) and provide information about delirium.
- Dehydration
- Ensure adequate hydration
- Immobilization
- Mobilize as soon as possible
- Pain
- Regularly evaluate and treat pain
- Visual and hearing impairment
- Make sure the patient has his/her hearing aid and eye glasses.
- Sleep deprivation
- Ensure the patient has uninterrupted sleep
- Psychoactive medications
- Avoid prescribing psychoactive medications
- Tethers
- Avoid use of bladder catheters, IV tubes, etc
- Hallucinations
- Make sure the patient has his/her hearing aids and glasses. Avoid excessive noise and alarms.
- Constipation
- Review the patient's chart. Examine the bowel and give a laxative if required.