Case 7 of 40
Check the person can hear you during a delirium assessment
Example case for staff education
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Mr Scott, 86, cannot answer the assessment questions.
Read the case transcript
Page 1
Panel 1
Mr Scott, 86, cannot answer the assessment questions.
Doctor: Mr Scott, can you tell me the month?
Mr Scott: I can’t hear you.
Panel 2
His hearing aid is in the bedside drawer, without a battery.
Nurse: Found it. Let me fit a fresh battery.
Panel 3
With sound restored, in a quiet room, they try again.
Nurse: Is that better? We will take our time.
Panel 4
Clearer answers help, but delirium still needs full assessment.
Doctor: Now we can assess properly and check for acute illness.
Commentary
Make sure the person can hear you and has the help they need to communicate during assessment. Clearer answers after a hearing aid is fitted do not rule out delirium.