Use the person’s preferred language when assessing delirium

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Case 15 of 40

Use the person’s preferred language when assessing delirium

Example case for staff education

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4-panel clear-line comic. Panel 1: Mrs Ahmed, 76, speaks Urdu. Today she is unusually withdrawn. Panel 2: Urgent physical checks begin. A professional interpreter joins. Panel 3: Even with language support, she cannot follow the conversation. Panel 4: History and examination support delirium. Assessment of causes continues.
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Mrs Ahmed, 76, speaks Urdu. Today she is unusually withdrawn.

Commentary

Help the person communicate in their preferred language while assessing a recent change. Difficulty communicating in an unfamiliar language must not be mistaken for cognitive impairment. A language barrier is also not a reason to dismiss a new change.

Read the case transcript

Page 1

Panel 1

Mrs Ahmed, 76, speaks Urdu. Today she is unusually withdrawn.

Daughter: She was chatting normally yesterday. This is a change.

Panel 2

Urgent physical checks begin. A professional interpreter joins.

Doctor Evans: Please interpret my questions directly for Mrs Ahmed.

Panel 3

Even with language support, she cannot follow the conversation.

Mrs Ahmed: My daughter… where are we?

Panel 4

History and examination support delirium. Assessment of causes continues.

Doctor Evans: Keep the interpreter involved as we explain her care.

Sources

Delirium Academy · Professor Alasdair M J MacLullich

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