Lisa is working in a community hospital on the medical surgical unit. Her patient, Ruth, is 82 years old. Ruth was brought to the hospital with a severe bowel obstruction and ended up needing surgery. When Ruth woke up from the surgery, she was very agitated and repeatedly tried to get out of bed. Lisa also observed that Ruth was unable to follow the topic of conversation, and Ruth was picking at the air like she was trying to catch bugs that only Ruth could see. Lisa immediately became concerned that Ruth was suffering from ______________________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ruth's symptoms of agitation, inability to follow conversation, and visual hallucinations (picking at the air) immediately after surgery are indicative of delirium. Delirium is an acute, often reversible, condition characterized by confusion and changes in cognition, which can occur in older adults following surgery or during hospitalization.

Lisa Is Working in a Community Hospital on the Medical