title: Sorting out the 3 D's: delirium, dementia, depression: learn how to sift through overlapping signs and symptoms so you can help improve an older patient's quality of life.
abstract: Because of the overlapping signs and symptoms of dementia and depression, a patient who doesn't respond to therapy for depression will be evaluated for dementia. Knowing the subtle differences between the 3 D's--delirium, dementia, and depression--will help you support your patient with appropriate nursing interventions and medications.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arnold
mesh_terms: D003693:Delirium / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018939:Holistic Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis / Q000379:methods; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011788:Quality of Life