KnotesFree Orthopaedic & FRCS notes, viva stations and higher order SBAs

Delirium

Must KnowApplied Basic SciencesthinKbox SBA

acute confusion state

Delirium vs dementia

  • Delirium: awareness
  • Dementia: memory

Types

  • Hyperactive
  • Hypoactive
  • Mixed

C/F

  • Inattention
  • Disorganised thinking
  • Coma
  • MMSE or CAM-ICU

Pathophysiology

  • Imbalance in the synthesis, release and inactivation of neurotransmitters
  • Pathways involved
  • Dopamine
  • Glutamine
  • Cholinergic

Triggers

  • Extrinsic
    • Physical restrains
    • Urinary catheter
  • Intrinsic
    • Electrophysiological

      • Hypoxemia
      • Hypercarbia
      • electrolyte imbalance
    • Systemic causes

      • Anaemia
      • Malnutrition
      • Metabolic disorders
  • Surgeon cause
    • Uncontrolled pain
    • Non judicious use of opioids
  • Sepsis
  • Anaemia

Causes

  • Drugs
    • Opioids
    • anticholinergics
    • GA

Treatment

  • ABCDE bundle by Morandi
  • Awake and breathing
  • Choice of sedation
  • Delirium monitoring
  • Early mobility and exercise
  • Pharmacological measures: Halopiridol

Hyponatremia

Key points

Written/reviewed by Kishore Puthezhath

Professor of Orthopaedics and Consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon

FRCS (Tr & Orth) revision resource

Reviewed: September 2026