Compare and contrast delirium with brief psychotic disorder. For this discussion, you will need to place particular emphasis on how comprehensive assessment could help the PMHNP to arrive at the correct diagnosis for the adult/geriatric patient.
Sample Solution
Delirium and brief psychotic disorder are two mental disorders with similar symptoms, but distinct causes. Delirium is usually a short-term condition caused by an underlying medical issue, such as infection or medication reaction. It is often characterized by confusion and disorientation, impaired memory and cognition, agitation or restlessness, hallucinations or delusions, and changes in sleep patterns. Patients may also experience rapid mood changes or have difficulty staying focused on one topic for very long.
Sample Solution
Delirium and brief psychotic disorder are two mental disorders with similar symptoms, but distinct causes. Delirium is usually a short-term condition caused by an underlying medical issue, such as infection or medication reaction. It is often characterized by confusion and disorientation, impaired memory and cognition, agitation or restlessness, hallucinations or delusions, and changes in sleep patterns. Patients may also experience rapid mood changes or have difficulty staying focused on one topic for very long.
On the other hand brief psychotic disorder is an isolated episode of psychotic behavior that can last from several days to weeks but not longer than one month before dissipating; although it can be recurrent if left untreated. Symptoms tend to include paranoia, hallucinations (auditory/visual), delusions (grandiosity/inflated sense of importance) along with any associated negative emotions (fear/anger). In contrast to delirium patients don’t usually show signs of confusion during their episode making diagnosis more difficult since both conditions overlap significantly on many levels.
To correctly diagnose either condition a comprehensive assessment must be done which should involve taking detailed histories about patient’s current state as well as prior episodes if present; physical exam to rule out any biological causes plus lab tests that might provide further insight into possible etiology behind what’s going on followed up by psychological evaluation where appropriate measures are used such as DSM IV criteria etc., can help PMHNP differentiate between the two when determining exact nature of problem at hand thus allowing them give most suitable treatment plan tailored specifically around each individual case moving forward.
Additionally family members should also be consulted in order gain better understanding how person has been behaving recently so they can provide valuable information which may not have come out otherwise during interview process itself – this kind data could prove beneficial when trying narrow down diagnosis especially cases like these where additional insight necessary ensure accuracy results every time without fail no matter what type situation arises eventually
