title: Delirium in the brain-injured patient.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To differentiate between expected behavior of a newly brain-injured person and an episode of delirium.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article reviews the different types of delirium and predisposing risk factors that place patients at risk for developing delirium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This case study illustrates how delirium can mimic expected behaviors seen in patients with traumatic brain injuries and emphasizes the importance of assessing for risk factors of delirium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinicians can easily misdiagnose delirium. Nurses should assess every patient for signs and symptoms of delirium, using a standardized tool, such as the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) or Cognitive Test for Delirium (CTD).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improved education on the risk factors for and symptoms of delirium is necessary for the rehabilitation nurse to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of this potentially life-threatening condition.
authors.affiliation: Nursing Quality and Safety, University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Madison, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Therese
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gion
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leclaire-Thoma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing*; D003693:Delirium / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019145:Rehabilitation Nursing / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Rehabilitation; head injury; practice implications