Altered Mental Status Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Altered Mental Status - Assignment Example Two primary components constitute the condition of altered mental status such as: consciousness level of the patient or arousal and the â€Å"content of consciousness† (Wilber, 2006, p.300). Impairment of cognition is one of the most common diagnoses for AMS, especially in the elderly population, and â€Å"10% to 20%† of community dwellers as well as â€Å"48%† of residents in nursing homes are found to be ailing from this condition (p.301). AMS manifests in different forms in patients across various age groups, and this paper will focus on three major diagnoses of the disease as under: Delirium, a delicate condition found in the elderly people, is characterized by acute and â€Å"fluctuating change† in the process of cognition, which entails impairment to consciousness and attention (p.301). One of the most significant risk factors associated with delirium include both disability as well as mortality, and evidence suggests that â€Å"22% 76%† of the patients during hospitalization confronts these risks (p.302). Delirium in patients can be assessed by observing the disturbances in the level of consciousness, changes occurring in the degree of cognition as well as from evaluating whether these changes are occurring within a â€Å"short period of time† (p.302). Disturbances in the level of consciousness in the patient may manifest in terms of him or her becoming lethargic but will not wind up in spells of stupor. On the other hand, changes in the level of cognition demonstrate in terms of deficits in â€Å"short-term memory† and some patie nts may also develop disorientation. The disturbances in consciousness and changes in cognition will occur rapidly and, therefore, are easy to recognize. Tools such as â€Å"Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)† and â€Å"Differential Diagnosis† can be effective in the diagnosis of the condition of delirium in patients with AMS