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Course

ER Review: Altered Mental Status (AMS)

Contact Hours Awarded: 2

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Course Overview

ER Review: Altered Mental Status (AMS)

Author: R.E. Hengsterman
MSN, RN

Altered Mental Status (AMS) in the Emergency Department (ED) represents a significant diagnostic challenge with a high mortality risk. This condition, often seen as a chief complaint among the elderly, can range from acute brain dysfunctions such as delirium, stupor, or coma to more chronic and severe presentations precipitated by an array of medical illnesses.

The complexity and urgency of AMS necessitate a swift, methodical approach in the ED, beginning with primary and secondary surveys aimed at identifying life-threatening reversible causes, followed by a comprehensive systems-based analysis.

This course emphasizes the importance of a structured, systematic approach to assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. It highlights the need for a nuanced understanding of its diverse presentations and underscores the critical need for thorough clinical evaluation.

Through a multi-layered comprehension of AMS and its etiologies, clinicians in the emergency department can formulate a precise and holistic differential diagnosis.

 

Course Outline

  1. Introduction 
  2. Definitions 
  3. Case Study: Acute Altered Mental Status in an Elderly Patient 
  4. Differential Diagnosis 
  5. Assessment 
  6. History and Physical Exam 
  7. Common Toxidromes  
  8. Pathophysiology 
  9. Management/ Treatment 
  10. Laboratory Testing 
  11. Life-Threatening Causes of AMS 
  12. Conclusion 

Accreditation Statement

Nursing CE Central LLC is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

In this course, we will discuss ER Review: Altered Mental Status (AMS). It will take the average learner 120 minutes to complete and awards 2 contact hours of continuing education.

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, the learner will rate a 4 out of 5 on the Likert Scale for their ability to:

  1. Identify the clinical presentation of altered mental status (AMS) in patients presenting to the emergency department 
  2. Recognize the skills required in conducting a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of patients with AMS  
  3. Describe the differential diagnosis for AMS  
  4. Discuss factors influencing the decision-making process regarding the disposition of patients presenting with AMS.

      Target Audience

      • Registered Nurses (RN)
      • Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN)
      • Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN/LVN)

      Requirement for Completion

      1. Enrollment in the course by the learner
      2. Read and learn all course materials
      3. Complete the course evaluation
      4. Attest and testify learning of the course materials

      Accreditations + Approvals

      • American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) (P0614)
      • California Board of Registered Nursing (CEP 17418)
      • Kentucky Board of Nursing (7-0090)
      • Louisiana State Board of Nursing (58)
      • New York State Department of Education (IC 208)
      • New York State Department of Education Child Abuse #80996
      • Florida Board of Nursing (50-23983)

      Disclosure of Relevant Financial Relationships

      Nursing CE Central nor any of the authors, planners, content experts, or any contributors have any relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

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      Course created on: October 23, 2024

      Course Expires on: October 23, 2027

      Course Offering: #399

      Course Content