Final answer:
The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) tool is used to quickly assess and differentiate delirium from other cognitive impairments in elderly patients, like a 69-year-old with a urinary infection and possible bacterial sepsis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse may administer the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) tool to a 69-year-old patient with a urinary infection and possible bacterial sepsis who exhibits disorientation and a disturbed sleep-wake cycle to differentiate among various cognitive disorders. The CAM is designed to quickly assess for the presence of delirium, as it has clearly defined criteria that help in the identification of this acute cognitive impairment. It is particularly useful in a hospital setting where medical conditions, such as a urinary infection, can precipitate delirium especially in the elderly.
Since elderly patients, like the mentioned 69-year-old individual, are at an increased risk of delirium due to their potentially compromised immune system and age-related decline in cognitive function, using the CAM tool aids in distinguishing delirium from other underlying dementia or cognitive disorders. This in turn facilitates the implementation of an appropriate treatment plan and improves patient outcomes. Bringing attention to the common signs such as fever, dysuria, and disturbance in mental function can indicate UTIs in elderly patients, leading to delirium.
Last but not least, a rapid assessment of neurological function, as provided by CAM, is crucial in an emergency situation to provide immediate care and prevent long-term complications that could arise from untreated delirium or other cognitive impairments.