Could your patient be in pain?

Are there physiological signs of pain such as new sinus tachycardia or hypertension

Are there raised inflammatory markers or fever

Common sources include

• Chest

• Urine

• Biliary

• Viral

• Gut

Lack of stimulation and being confined to bed can cause delirium

Look at physio entries

Is nutrition poor? Is your patient not getting enough calories?

Look at the food chart

When did your patient last open their bowels?

Look at the stool chart

Is your patient getting enough fluid.

Look at input/output charts and food charts

Examine for signs of dehydration

Any signs/history of head injury?

Are they on anticoagulants?

Any recently started or stopped medications?

Opiates?

Sedatives?

Tricyclics?

A change of environment can be very distressing and cause delirium