Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which of the following is not a characteristic of delirium?

1. Sudden onset

2. Patient is coherent

3. Worse in the evenings

4. It has a brief duration

The correct answer is: Patient is coherent

Delirium is characterized by an acute change in attention and cognition, often presenting with a sudden onset, fluctuating course, and disturbances in consciousness. One of the key characteristics is that patients typically exhibit altered levels of consciousness, which can affect their coherence and ability to effectively communicate. Therefore, stating that the patient is coherent is not aligned with the nature of delirium. The other characteristics mentioned, such as sudden onset and a brief duration, are typical of delirium. Episodes can be particularly challenging during the evening hours, commonly referred to as "sundowning." Recognizing these features helps in the early identification and management of delirium, distinguishing it from more chronic conditions such as dementia.