Delirium
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
Etiologies of delirium are broad and include systemic toxic, metabolic, nutritional, infectious, or pharmacologic causes as well as acute brain disorders (eg, stroke, seizures). Delirium is classically thought to be transient, although not all patients return to their baseline. Delirium can be hyperactive, with psychomotor agitation and emotional disturbances, or hypoactive.
See Drug Reaction Data table for a list of potential pharmacologic causes. Related topic: Drug-induced psychosis.
Codes
ICD10CM:R41.0 – Disorientation, unspecified
SNOMEDCT:
2776000 – Delirium
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Nonconvulsive status epilepticus
- Dementia
- Psychotic disorders
- Depression
- Catatonia
- Wernicke encephalopathy
- Transient global amnesia
- Bifrontal lesions
- Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
- Infectious or inflammatory encephalitis
- Intoxication
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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Drug Reaction Data
Below is a list of drugs with literature evidence indicating an adverse association with this diagnosis. The list is continually updated through ongoing research and new medication approvals. Click on Citations to sort by number of citations or click on Medication to sort the medications alphabetically.Subscription Required
References
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Last Reviewed:05/22/2018
Last Updated:04/03/2023
Last Updated:04/03/2023