Table 2 The level of Knowledge per question (Difficulty Index (%)

Definition

 1. Which of the following groups of symptoms best describes or defines delirium? (Ν = 212)

38%

Tools for Delirium Identification

 2. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (Ν = 87)

15.6%

 3. Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) (Ν = 389)

69.7%

 4. Delirium Rating Scale (DRS) (Ν = 290)

52.0%

 5. Alcohol Withdrawal Scale (AWS) (Ν = 26)

4.7%

 6. Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) (Ν = 125)

22.4%

 7. Beck’s Depression Inventory (Ν = 405)

72.6%

 8. Braden Scale (Ν = 299)

53.6%

Presence of Delirium and risk factors^†leading to delirium development

 9. Fluctuation between orientation and disorientation is not typical of delirium (Ν = 225)

40.3%

 10. Symptoms of depression may mimic delirium (Ν = 182)

32.6%

 11. Treatment for delirium always includes sedation (Ν = 299)

53.6%

 12. Patients never remember episodes of delirium (Ν = 150)

26.9%

 13. A Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) is the best way to diagnose delirium (Ν = 108)

19.4%

 14^†. A patient having a repair of a fractured neck of femur has the same risk for delirium as a patient having an elective hip replacement (Ν = 162)

29.0%

 15. Delirium never lasts for more than a few hours Ν = 274

49.1%

 16^†. The risk for delirium increases with age (Ν = 296)

53.0%

 17^†. A patient with impaired vision is at increased risk of delirium (Ν = 181)

32.4%

 18^†. The greater the number of medications a patient is taking, the greater their risk of delirium (Ν = 262)

47.0%

 19^†. A urinary catheter in situ reduces the risk of delirium (Ν = 364)

65.2%

 20^†. Gender has no effect on the development of delirium (Ν = 133)

23.8%

 21^†. Poor nutrition increases the risk of delirium (Ν = 241)

43.1%

 22^†. Dementia is the greatest risk factor for delirium (Ν = 263)

47.1%

 23^†. Males are more at risk for delirium than females (Ν = 110)

19.7%

 24^†. Diabetes is a high-risk factor for delirium (Ν = 146)

26.2%

 25^†. Dehydration can be a risk factor for delirium (Ν = 368)

65.9%

 26^†. Hearing impairment increases the risk of delirium (Ν = 216)

38.7%

 27^†. Obesity is a risk factor for delirium (Ν = 248)

44.4%

 28. A patient who is lethargic and difficult to rouse does not have a delirium (Ν = 251)

45.0%

 29. Patients with delirium are always physically and/or verbally aggressive (Ν = 281)

50.4%

 30. Delirium is generally caused by alcohol withdrawal (Ν = 266)

47.7%

 31^†. Patients with delirium have a higher mortality rate (Ν = 178)

31.9%

 32^†. A family history of dementia predisposes a patient to delirium (Ν = 131)

23.5%

 33. Behavioural changes in the course of the day are typical of delirium (Ν = 224)

40.1%

 34. A patient with delirium is likely to be easily distracted and/or have difficulty following a conversation (Ν = 388)

69.5%

 35. Patients with delirium will often experience perceptual disturbances (Ν = 385)

69.0%

 36. Altered sleep/wake cycle may be a symptom of delirium (Ν = 301)

53.9%