symptom control: agitation and delirium
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Symptom Control: Agitation and Delirium. AOA OMED Conference San Francisco 2010. Acknowledgement. We gratefully acknowledge the outstanding work done by: Scott A. Irwin, MD, PhD Rosene P. Pirrello, RPh Jeremy M. Hirst, MD Gary T. Buckholz, MD Frank D. Ferris, MD, FAAHPM - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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AOA OMED ConferenceSan Francisco
2010
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We gratefully acknowledge the outstanding work done by:
Scott A. Irwin, MD, PhD Rosene P. Pirrello, RPh Jeremy M. Hirst, MD Gary T. Buckholz, MD Frank D. Ferris, MD, FAAHPMAnd the Institute for Palliative Medicine
at San Diego Hospice, and AAHPM
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Identify the patient at risk for agitation and delirium
Describe how to relieve suffering and control agitation and delirium
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Change in mental status. Impaired:1. Attention2. Orientation3. Cognition4. Consciousness5. Reality6. Behavior
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1. Disturbance in consciousness Attention2. Change in cognition Examples: memory, orientation,
language3. Develops over a short period of time4. Caused by the direct physiological
consequences of a general medical condition
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Hyperactive: confusion, agitation hallucinations, myoclonus
Hypoactive: confusion, somnolence, withdrawn. More likely to be under diagnosed “If you don’t look for it, you won’t find it”
Mixed
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Hospitalized elderly: 14-56%
ICU: 70-87%
Advanced Cancer 25-85% or End of Life:
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Six month mortality: up to 25% Increased mortality: 10-78% Prolonged hospitalizations Stress Discomfort Reduced quality of life
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Causes a person to be frightened, agitated and upset
Interferes with the assessment and treatment of other symptoms
Increased caregiver burden Increases the use of restraints Interferes with meaningful
communication and interaction
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Decreased oral intake: dehydration, malnutrition
Over age 65 Male Low activity level Constipation/fecal impaction History of falls Visual or hearing impairment Depression History of previous delirium
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Delirium has many, many causes –
A good number of them are discoverable and reversible – approximately 50%
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J – JUDGEMENT changes O – ORIENTATION changes M – MEMORY changes A – AFFECT changes C – COGNITIVE changes Delirium is a state defined by a
CHANGECHANGE in mental functioning
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Fluid imbalance Medications (see next slide) Infections Hepatic or renal failure Hypoxia Hematological disturbances
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Opioids Corticosteroids Benzodiazepines Scopolamine Hydroxyzine Diphenhydramine Hyoscyamine Tricyclic-
Antidepressants H2 Blockers
NSAIDS Metoclopramide Alcohol/drug
withdrawal
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In a hospice study of 2700 patients (S.A. Irwin et.al.2008) delirium was recognized in only:
17.8% of home care patients 28.3 % of inpatients
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Complex presentation Inconsistent language among
professionals about mental status Preconceived notions Hypo-active sub-type is quiet Thought to be normal part of end of life
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Involve the chaplain Assess for possible
existential crisis or other version of pre-death awareness
Consider prayer, meditation, mantra, ritual
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If grimacing and agitation are thought to be pain, assess the cause. If there is no obvious reason for the pain, or the pain is “all over”, it is probably delirium
Frequently, the delirious pt will answer “yes” to the question of pain
An opioid may sedate a delirious pt, leading to the belief that it has helped
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Anxiety: apprehension, jitters, etc. but attentive, alert and oriented
Depression: may be restless with decreased concentration but attentive and oriented
Dementia: usually alert, and attentive, decreased cognition over months to years
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Delirium1. Acute onset2. Fluctuates3. Duration days to
weeks4. Altered
consciousness5. Impaired attention6. Increased or
decreased psychomotor
7. Can be reversible
Dementia1. Insidious onset2. Progressive3. Duration months to
years4. Clear consciousness5. Normal attention
except when severe6. Normal psychomotor
(usually)7. Rarely reversible
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Delirium Change in
alertness
Onset – hours to days
Fluctuates hourly
Sundown Syndrome No change in
alertness Onset – daily, slowly
worsening
Fluctuation daily and predictable
Occurs with dementia
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Time limited trial to find and reverse the causes such as
Drug side effects Low oxygen – CHF, COPD, PE Infection Retention of urine or feces Poor intake – malnutrition, dehydration Organ failure – kidney, liver Metabolic problems – electrolytes, thyroid,
Ca++
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This is delirium during the dying process when there is not a reversible cause and the patient is expected to die in the following hours, days to a week
Frequently there is restlessness, agitation, moaning, and purposeless vocalization.
Signs of active dying process may be present, such as peripheral cooling, abnormal breathing, anuria, etc.
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Provide support and orientation: Communicate clearly, concisely, and
calmly Give repeated verbal reminders of the
day, time and location Provide clear signposts to patient’s
location, including clock and date Have familiar objects from the patient’s
home nearby
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Provide an unambiguous environment: Try to avoid frequent change in bed
location Avoid using medical jargon in front of the
patient Avoid extremes of bright lighting and
darkness Control excess noise Keep room temperature between 70-75
degrees.
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Maintaining competence: Identify and correct sensory
impairments. Ensure patients have their glasses, hearing aid and dentures
Use an interpreter as needed Encourage self care and participation in
treatment
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Have patient/caregiver give feedback on treatments of symptoms
Maintain activity levels; and arrange treatments to allow for maximum periods of un-interrupted sleep.
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Hyperactive delirium Haloperidol (Haldol) is drug of choice for
symptom of agitation (or other symptom causing suffering)
Haloperidol is a butyrophenone derivative with antipsychotic properties that has been considered particularly effective in the management of hyperactivity, agitation, and mania.
Haloperidol is an effective neuroleptic and also possesses antiemetic properties
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Haldol is NOT for use in alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal
Check to see if the patient has Parkinson’s Disease prior to initiating it
There may be a slightly increased risk of serious side effects (e.g., pneumonia and heart failure) when used in older adults with dementia.
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Second generation medications such as chlorpromazine (thorazine) olanzapine (zyprexa) quetiapine (seroquel) risperidone (risperdol) may be needed if haldol alone is not
effective
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Hypoactive delirium Medication for hypoactive delirium is
not usually neededMixed delirium Medication as per hyperactive delirium
with less during hypoactive part of the day
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Terminal delirium Sedation is the main treatment and Benzodiazepines are more important
(examples of benzodiazepines are ativan, xanax, librium, valium)
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If there is not adequate relief of suffering, try further non-pharmacologic comfort measures.
Treat agitation like a breakthrough symptom (pain) and use PRN medication
If the pharmacologic treatment is not effective in relieving suffering, the physician should be notified for further orders.
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Observe for medication side effect Note the varying degree of sedation
and extra-pyramidal symptoms that different drugs have
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Drug Sedation EPS*
Haloperidol 1+ 4+
Thorazine 3+ 2+
Risperdal 1+ 2+
Zyprexa 2+ 1+
Seroquel 2-3+ 0
*EPS: Extra-pyramidal Symptoms (Parkinsonian-like)
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EPS are movement disorders that can occur as a result of taking haldol (or other anti-psychotic drugs). Examples:
Tardive dyskinesia -involuntary, irregular muscle movements, usually in the face
Muscular lead-pipe rigidity Bradykinesia – slow movement Akinesia – inability to initiate movement Resting tremor Postural instability
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Indicated for Delirium due to alcohol and
benzodiazepine withdrawal Anxiety Primal fear (e.g., feeling of suffocation) Sedation therapy (use with haldol for
delirium) Seizure disorder
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Like all drugs in this chemical family, (i.e. benzodiazepines), lorazepam enhances the action of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA by acting at the GABAA receptor.
It has anxiolytic, sedative and hypnotic properties
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Respiratory depression, especially if opioids are present
May worsen delirium Over sedation when treating delirium
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CMS Nursing Home surveys include audit and review of
F-329 Unnecessary drugs used F-330 Antipsychotics received when
appropriate F-331 Antipsychotics dose reduction
Documentation needs to focus on the symptoms causing suffering, and the interventions, both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic that have been used to help relieve symptoms
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Provide support and orientation Provide an unambiguous environment Help the patient maintain competence,
function and activities as much as he is able
Observe for medication side effects Address safety issues and implement
fall prevention strategies, especially for patients with agitation
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Order appropriate laboratory and diagnostic studies to assess for reversible causes
Include non-pharmacologic interventions in the Plan of Care
Prescribe pharmacologic treatment for the suffering and symptoms of delirium if indicated
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Anna is a 78 yr female, primary diagnosis non-small cell lung carcinoma
Right lobectomy two years ago Maintained on continuous O2 @1.5
L/min Lives at home alone Usually alert and oriented
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