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Altered Mental Status in the Emergency Department
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee.
Seminars in Neurology
|February 12, 2019
Summary
Acute changes in mental status require urgent evaluation. A thorough primary and secondary survey, focusing on reversible causes, is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment of brain dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Emergency Medicine
- Critical Care
Background:
- Altered mental status (AMS) encompasses diverse conditions with varying severity.
- Causes range from primary neurological insults to systemic illnesses affecting brain function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the urgent evaluation of acute changes in mental status.
- To emphasize the identification of immediate life-threatening and reversible causes.
Main Methods:
- Recommended a structured approach: primary survey followed by secondary survey.
- Advocated for a systems-based search for reversible etiologies.
- Stressed the importance of comprehensive emergency department evaluation.
Main Results:
- Acute AMS is often life-threatening and requires immediate attention.
- A systematic evaluation can identify critical underlying conditions.
- Detailed history, physical exam, and diagnostic tests are essential.
Conclusions:
- Prompt and urgent assessment is vital for patients with acute altered mental status.
- A comprehensive, systematic approach aids in diagnosing and managing brain dysfunction effectively.
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