An older adult patient has fluctuating levels of awareness, anxiety, and appears to be picking things out of the air.The patient says, "I saw my granddaughter standing at the foot of the bed last night." The nurse should suspect which disorder?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Fluctuating levels of awareness, anxiety, and hallucinations are all symptoms of delirium. Dementia typically presents as a gradual decline in cognitive function, while schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may also have psychotic symptoms but do not necessarily involve the fluctuating mental status that is seen in delirium.

An Older Adult Patient Has Fluctuating Levels of Awareness, Anxiety