An older client has become very confused since being hospitalised earlier in the week. Prior to this illness, the client exhibited clear thought processing and was able to maintain an independent lifestyle. How would the nurse document this mental state?

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Delirium is characterized by an acute onset of confusion and a fluctuating course, often related to a specific cause such as hospitalization, infection, or medication. It is distinguished from dementia, which is a chronic and progressive decline in cognitive function, and from sundown syndrome, which refers to increased confusion and agitation during the late afternoon and evening in individuals with dementia. "Reversible confusion" is not a standard medical term for documentation purposes.

An Older Client Has Become Very Confused Since Being Hospitalised