A recently widowed 80-year-old male is dehydrated and is admitted to the hospital for intravenous fluid replacement.During the evening shift,the patient becomes acutely confused.The nurse's best action is to assess the patient for which of the following reversible causes?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Delirium,or acute confusional state,is a potentially reversible cognitive impairment that is often due to a physiological event.Physiological causes of delirium can include electrolyte imbalances,cerebral anoxia,hypoglycemia,medications,drug effects,tumors,subdural hematomas,and cerebrovascular infection,infarction,or hemorrhage.Unlike delirium,dementia is a gradual,progressive,irreversible cerebral dysfunction.

A Recently Widowed 80-Year-Old Male Is Dehydrated and Is Admitted