Altered mental status history and symptoms

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Altered mental status Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Altered mental status from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Criteria

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

CT

MRI

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case #1

Altered mental status On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Altered mental status

All Images
X-rays
Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Altered mental status

CDC on Altered mental status

Altered mental status in the news

Blogs on Altered mental status

Directions to Hospitals Treating Altered mental status

Risk calculators and risk factors for Altered mental status

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Pratik Bahekar, MBBS [2]


Overview

Patient in an altered mental status may not be able to provide history. Collateral information from relatives, and out patient care providers must be attempted. As altered mental status has very diverse etiology, careful history can prover an essential tool for focused physical examination and investigations of the patient.

History and Symptoms

Following are a few clues to illicit relevant history.

History of Present Illness

  • Onset, duration and progression of current illness and altered mental status.
  • History of intoxication e.g. recreational drugs, alcohol.
  • Environmental exposure to toxins.
  • Fever
  • Visual changes, seizures, syncope, changes in gait or speech
  • Chest pain, palpitation, perspiration
  • Nausea, vomiting, changes in bowel bladder habbits
  • Changes in sleep awake cycle.
  • Recent change in medication, anticoagulants, hypoglycemic agents, anticholinergic medications, sedatives and prescription pain medications and past history of overdosing.

History of Past Illness

  • Past episodes of similar illness
  • Past history of other illness like, chronic conditions e.g. HIV, stroke, seizures or CNS disorders, neurosurgery, psychiatric illness etc.

Family History

  • Conditions causing altered mental status, seizures, psychiatric disorders, endocrine disturbances

Social History

  • Living conditions and ADLs
  • Access to care
  • History of sexual practices
  • Drug abuse[1]

References

  1. "Clinical policy for the initial approach to pa... [Ann Emerg Med. 1999] - PubMed - NCBI".

Template:WikiDoc Sources

Template:WH Template:WS