NR 340 CRITICAL CARE NURSING Delirium Latest Review Exam Q & A 2026 (Complete And Verified Study material) (22pages) LEARNEXAMS

1. A 74-year-old male patient with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is admitted to the ICU with acute respiratory distress. Over the next 24 hours, he becomes increasingly agitated and disoriented. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial action? A. Administer an antipsychotic medication. B. Perform a thorough assessment for possible causes of delirium. C. Restrain the patient for safety. D. Increase the oxygen supply. Answer: B. Rationale: A thorough assessment is crucial to identify and treat the underlying causes of delirium, such as hypoxia, infection, or medication effects, rather than solely managing the symptoms. 2. A nurse is caring for a patient in the critical care unit who has developed hypoactive delirium. Which clinical manifestation is least likely to be observed in this patient? A. Reduced motor activity B. Decreased responsiveness C. Hallucinations D. Hyperalertness Answer: D. Rationale: Hypoactive delirium is characterized by reduced motor activity and responsiveness, and may include hallucinations, but hyperalertness is not a typical feature and is more associated with hyperactive delirium. 3. When educating families of patients in critical care about delirium, which statement should be included? A. "Delirium is a permanent condition." B. "Delirium can only be treated with medications." C. "Delirium often has a fluctuating course, with periods of lucidity." D. "Delirium is not common in the ICU setting." Answer: C. Rationale: Families should be informed that delirium can fluctuate and patients may have periods of lucidity. It is not necessarily permanent and can be treated with both non-pharmacological and pharmacological methods. Delirium is also quite common in the ICU. 4. In assessing a patient for delirium, which tool is considered the gold standard for ICU patients?