老人急性混亂的概念與護理

Nursing Care of the Elderly with Acute Confusion

急性混亂，又名譫妄，是一種大腦半球認知損傷的暫時狀態，因不容易被覺察出來，加上老年病患之病理改變常又以此而非典型的症狀呈現，因此個案的發現及治療處理，常較一般疾病複雜且困難許多。為避免醫護人員將老人急性混亂視為老化的正常改變，或將急性混亂視為老人不可理喻的無理要求，本文從文獻查證說明老人急性混亂的定義、臨床表徵、影響因素及評估方法，最後彙總相關醫療處置及護理原則。盼藉此提昇醫護人員對老人急性混亂的瞭解，並維護老年病人的身體健康。

Acute confusion, also known as delirium, is a state of cognitive impairment of the cerebral hemisphere and a clinical phenomenon that can occur in hospitalized elderly patients. However, its symptoms in elderly people are not clear, which makes the medical treatment for these elderly patients more difficult and complicated. Acute confusion is sometimes mistakenly considered a form of misbehavior, such as being unreasonably demanding. However, acute confusion in the elderly should never be considered part of normal aging. This article clarifies the definition, clinical symptoms and contributing factors of acute confusion. Assessment scales are described. Finally, medical treatments and nursing care necessary to maintain the health of elderly patients with acute confusion are discussed.