Delirium/ Covert Administration of Medicines

Define delirium

clouding of consciousness reduced alertness, reduced awareness of surroundings, reduced ability to focus, drowsiness

delirium develops over ________

short period of time (hours-days)

what are the risk factors of delirium?

- dementia
- old age
- multiple co-morbidities
- stroke/seizures/ falls
- polypharmacy
- anticholinergic drugs
- alcohol wthdrawal
- septicaemia

define septicaemia

infection in the blood

what is covert administration

administration of a medicine disguised in food or drink to a patient without their knowledge or consent

covert administration is only considered for patient who..

lack capacity

what is mental capacity?

ability to understand and make a decision when it needs to be made

what 4 questions test of capacity?

1) Can the person understand the information

2)" hold the information in their mind long enough

3) " weigh up that information and use it to arrive at a decision

4) "communicate their decision (by talking, using sign language, or any other means)?

what does grapefruit juice inhibit?

CYP3A4

ciprofloxacin absorption is reduced by...

milk/dairy products

tea and coffee can cause the precipitation of ...

haloperidol

flucloxacillin should be taken when and why?

an hour before food or two hours after food as its absorption is reduced by food

is flucloxacillin appropriate to take covertly?

no- absorption is reduced