INSTRUCTIONS Delirium prevention and management in hospitalized older adults
TEST INSTRUCTIONS
* Read the article. The test for this CE activity is to be taken online at http://www.nursingcenter.com/CE/NP. Tests can no longer be mailed or faxed.
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* Registration deadline is March 6, 2026.
PROVIDER ACCREDITATION
Lippincott Professional Development will award 2.0 contact hours and 0.5 pharmacology consult hours for this continuing nursing education activity.
Lippincott Professional Development is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
This activity is also provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 11749 for 2.0 contact hours and 0.5 pharmacology consult hour. Lippincott Professional Development is also an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the District of Columbia, Georgia, West Virginia, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Florida, CE Broker #50-1223. Your certificate is valid in all states.
Payment: The registration fee for this test is $21.95.
Delirium prevention and management in hospitalized older adults
Learning Outcomes: Seventy-five percent of participants will gain knowledge about delirium prevention and management in hospitalized older adults by achieving a posttest score of 70% or greater.
Learning Objectives: After reading the article and completing the posttest, the participant will be able to:
1. Identify the predisposing factors, precipitating factors, and clinical presentation of delirium in hospitalized patients.
2. Describe patient assessment and nonpharmacologic management strategies for patients with delirium in hospital settings.
3. Select pharmacologic interventions for the management of delirium in hospitalized patients.
Posttest: Knowledge-based questions
1. Precipitating factors for delirium development in hospitalized patients include
a. minor surgical procedures.
b. well-controlled pain.
c. physical restraints.
2. Which predisposing factors can further increase the likelihood that precipitating factors will cause delirium?
a. younger age and sensory impairment
b. functional impairment and preexisting dementia
c. low frailty and history of stroke
3. Delirium has a variety of clinical presentations. Which clinical presentation occurs most frequently?
a. hyperactive delirium
b. hypoactive delirium
c. neither hyperactive nor hypoactive delirium
4. What is the most efficient strategy for the assessment of delirium at the bedside?
a. comprehensive physical exam
b. full neurocognitive exam
c. standardized delirium assessment tool
5. Which nonpharmacologic multicomponent intervention is used to minimize delirium risk in hospitalized patients?
a. maintaining bedrest
b. utilizing physical restraints
c. meeting basic human needs
6. Upon admission to the hospital, which nonpharmacologic intervention should be instituted for delirium prevention?
a. discourage family visitation to minimize disturbance
b. encourage activity during the day and sleep at night
c. provide physical restraints for patients at risk for delirium
7. A key pharmacologic strategy for delirium prevention in hospitalized patients includes
a. deprescribing medications.
b. scheduling antipsychotics.
c. withholding pain medications.
8. When a hospitalized patient develops delirium, what is one of the most effective management interventions?
a. minimizing cognitive stimulation
b. enhancing comfort and sleep
c. reducing sensory function
9. Medication may be necessary to keep the patient and others safe. Adverse reactions of antipsychotic medications used for delirium management include
a. extrapyramidal symptoms.
b. QT interval shortening.
c. overstimulation.
10. What should NPs remember when considering care transitions and delirium?
a. Antipsychotic medications for delirium management should be discontinued before a patient is transferred out of the ICU.
b. Patients discharged on antipsychotics have a decreased mortality risk and fewer adverse events.
c. There is less risk for delirium when patients are transferred from one hospital unit to another.