Which statement about dementia and delirium is accurate?

Which statement about dementia and delirium is accurate?

• A. Delirium involves fluctuations in consciousness; dementia does not
• B. Dementia always includes hallucinations
• C. Delirium is always permanent
• D. Dementia resolves with rest

Answer: (A)

Distinguishing delirium from dementia hinges on how consciousness and onset present. Delirium is an acute, abrupt change in mental status with disturbances in attention and awareness, and its level of consciousness often fluctuates over hours to days; it’s frequently reversible when the underlying medical issue is treated. Dementia is a chronic, progressive decline in cognitive function with relatively stable consciousness in the early stages, progressing over months to years. Because fluctuations in consciousness are a hallmark of delirium but not typical of dementia, the statement that delirium involves fluctuations in consciousness while dementia does not is the most accurate. The other ideas don’t fit as well because delirium isn’t necessarily permanent, dementia can feature hallucinations in some types, and dementia does not resolve simply with rest.

Distinguishing delirium from dementia hinges on how consciousness and onset present. Delirium is an acute, abrupt change in mental status with disturbances in attention and awareness, and its level of consciousness often fluctuates over hours to days; it’s frequently reversible when the underlying medical issue is treated. Dementia is a chronic, progressive decline in cognitive function with relatively stable consciousness in the early stages, progressing over months to years. Because fluctuations in consciousness are a hallmark of delirium but not typical of dementia, the statement that delirium involves fluctuations in consciousness while dementia does not is the most accurate. The other ideas don’t fit as well because delirium isn’t necessarily permanent, dementia can feature hallucinations in some types, and dementia does not resolve simply with rest.