title: Delirium/acute confusional states: evaluation devices in nursing.
abstract: Characteristics of instruments developed by nurses for use in evaluating delirium/acute confusional states include relative emphasis on observable behavior and the need to impose low respondent burden. Two instruments that have been most used by nurse researchers are described: The Confusion Rating Scale and the NEECHAM Confusion Scale. The former is based on observable behavior; the latter incorporates vital function and oxygen saturation measurements that may serve as early warning signs of impending delirium.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin, Madison.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D003221:Confusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003693:Delirium / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis; D011594:Psychometrics