“Confusional assessment method” is used for :
**Core Concept**
The Confusional Assessment Method (CAM) is a bedside assessment tool used to evaluate the presence and severity of delirium in patients. Delirium is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by acute onset of fluctuating cognitive impairment, altered level of consciousness, and disturbances in emotion and perception. The CAM helps clinicians to quickly identify patients at risk of delirium and to monitor their progression.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The CAM assesses eight key features of delirium, including acute onset, fluctuating course, altered level of consciousness, disorganized thinking, incoherent speech, altered perception, altered level of consciousness, and attention. The CAM uses a standardized scoring system to evaluate these features and to determine the presence and severity of delirium. By using the CAM, clinicians can accurately diagnose and manage delirium, which is a common and serious condition in hospitalized patients.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a widely used cognitive assessment tool, but it is not specifically designed to evaluate delirium. The MMSE assesses various cognitive domains, but it does not provide a comprehensive evaluation of delirium symptoms.
**Option B:** The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a widely used neurological assessment tool, but it is primarily used to evaluate level of consciousness in patients with traumatic brain injury. The GCS does not assess the complex neuropsychiatric symptoms of delirium.
**Option C:** The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a cognitive assessment tool used to evaluate mild cognitive impairment and dementia. While the MoCA assesses some similar cognitive domains as the CAM, it is not specifically designed to evaluate delirium.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The CAM is a quick and easy-to-use assessment tool that can be used at the bedside to evaluate patients for delirium. Clinicians should use the CAM in conjunction with other assessment tools, such as the MMSE, to provide a comprehensive evaluation of cognitive function.
**Correct Answer: C. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a cognitive assessment tool used to evaluate mild cognitive impairment and dementia. While the MoCA assesses some similar cognitive domains as the CAM, it is not specifically designed to evaluate delirium.