title: Elderly patients with altered mental status.
abstract: Mental status changes in the elderly are a source of concern and a challenge for the emergency physician. A variety of medical conditions and psychiatric disturbances are potential causes of those symptoms. Acute changes must be differentiated from mental status alterations occurring as a result of chronic conditions. This article focuses on the emergency evaluation, treatment, and differential diagnosis of this symptom complex.
authors.affiliation: Medical Services Flight and Emergency Services, 6th Medical Group, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: O'Keefe
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Sanson
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003221:Confusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010808:Physical Examination