Postoperative Delirium

Contact Hours: 1

Author(s):

Denise Chang, MSN, RN, CCRN​

Course Overview

This course provides nurses at all levels with a comprehensive understanding of postoperative delirium, focusing on key information such as risk factors, pathophysiology, prevention, and management strategies. Learners will be equipped with the tools to better identify early signs of postoperative dementia and differentiate it from other cognitive disorders. Learners will also be able to implement evidence-based interventions with the goal of improving client outcomes in the perioperative setting. The course touches on both non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions, allowing for holistic care.

Course Outline

  1. Introduction
  2. Definition
  3. Prevalence and Impact
  4. Risk Factors
  5. Pathophysiology
  6. Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis
  7. Management and Treatment
  8. Conclusion

Course Outcomes

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

  1. Define postoperative delirium.
  2. Compare and contrast postoperative delirium from other cognitive disorders such as dementia.
  3. Describe the three different types of delirium, along with each clinical presentation.
  4. Identify risk factors (preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative) that predispose clients into developing postoperative delirium.
  5. Describe the pathology of postoperative delirium.
  6. Summarize diagnostic criteria and screening tools for postoperative delirium.
  7. List environmental factors that can prevent postoperative delirium.

Accreditations and Approvals

CE Credit Logo
  • 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)
  • Florida Board of Nursing (50-23983)
  • Delaware Board of Nursing (DE-24-010127)
  • Alabama Board of Nursing (#ABNP1577)
  • Iowa Board of Nursing (#393)
  • Kansas Board of Nursing (LT0340-0325)

Approved by the Board of Nursing in every state, you can complete your RN, LVN, and APRN CEUs with confidence.

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.

It will take the average learner 60 minutes to complete and awards 1 contact hours of continuing education.

Written For

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

Requirements 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

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.