Altered Mental Status Simulation
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Learning Unit Objectives
The student will:
1. Differentiate delirium from dementia in the geriatric population.
2. List six common causes of altered mental status in the geriatric population with appropriate examples of system dysfunction.
3. Identify and prioritize interventions for the care of the patient with altered mental status.
4. Relate varying rates of change in mental status with AMS etiologies.
5. Produce a concept map from a case study discussing altered mental status in a geriatric patient.
Pre-Simulation Learning Activities
1. Geriatric Video Case Study and Concept Map
Watch the animated video about a geriatric patient whose chief complaint is dyspnea and abdominal pain. Use the information from the nurse’s presentation of the patient to complete a modified concept map. Think about how the systems of the body relate to the patients altered mental status problem. Identify and prioritize your expected interventions.
Questions to Consider:
Is there any information not presented in the video that you feel is needed?
What tests do you anticipate will be ordered for this patient?
Download and complete the concept map from the Geriatric Case Study learning activities page. (Concept map used with the permission of the author, Geraldine Jones, RN, B.S., Nursing Education Department, St. Luke’s Hospital).
Turn in your completed Concept Map to your instructor at the beginning of the Clinical Simulation.
2. Explore the resources located under the Learning Resources tab.
Watch the Hartford Foundation video: Delirium: The under-recognized medical emergency.
Read the article "Detecting Delirium"
Watch the Hartford Foundation video and read the accompanying article: Recognition of Dementia in hospitalized older adults
3. Read the Assessment Guidelines regarding Altered Mental Status and familiarize yourself with the various assessment Tools utilized in neurological assessment. Be prepared to utilize these tools during the simulation experience.
The student will:
1. Differentiate delirium from dementia in the geriatric population.
2. List six common causes of altered mental status in the geriatric population with appropriate examples of system dysfunction.
3. Identify and prioritize interventions for the care of the patient with altered mental status.
4. Relate varying rates of change in mental status with AMS etiologies.
5. Produce a concept map from a case study discussing altered mental status in a geriatric patient.
Pre-Simulation Learning Activities
1. Geriatric Video Case Study and Concept Map
Watch the animated video about a geriatric patient whose chief complaint is dyspnea and abdominal pain. Use the information from the nurse’s presentation of the patient to complete a modified concept map. Think about how the systems of the body relate to the patients altered mental status problem. Identify and prioritize your expected interventions.
Questions to Consider:
Is there any information not presented in the video that you feel is needed?
What tests do you anticipate will be ordered for this patient?
Download and complete the concept map from the Geriatric Case Study learning activities page. (Concept map used with the permission of the author, Geraldine Jones, RN, B.S., Nursing Education Department, St. Luke’s Hospital).
Turn in your completed Concept Map to your instructor at the beginning of the Clinical Simulation.
2. Explore the resources located under the Learning Resources tab.
Watch the Hartford Foundation video: Delirium: The under-recognized medical emergency.
Read the article "Detecting Delirium"
Watch the Hartford Foundation video and read the accompanying article: Recognition of Dementia in hospitalized older adults
3. Read the Assessment Guidelines regarding Altered Mental Status and familiarize yourself with the various assessment Tools utilized in neurological assessment. Be prepared to utilize these tools during the simulation experience.