Manejo do delirium para o clínico geral

This paper is part of a larger project in medical education regarding central themes in psychiatry and aims to improve the clinical knowledge of medical students and practitioners both. Given the high prevalence of delirium in hospital settings and the poor prognosis associated with it, it is of the utmost importance that not only its adequate management is known, but also measures to prevent it are implemented widely. Delirium is a clinical syndrome in which the main components are altered attention, fluctuating level of consciousness, and disorganized thought; generally, symptoms fluctuate in intensity during the day. Delirium has hyperactive, hypoactive, and mixed presentations. Prevalence is higher in critically ill patients and its presentation denotes a worse prognosis; therefore, its early detection and prevention are paramount. Treatment consists of treating base causes, precipitating factors, and administering antipsychotic medications, commonly haloperidol for hyperactive forms.