Determination of the risk factors and delirium in the intensive care unit

Aim: The objective of the present study is to increase nurses’ awareness of delirium risk factors, make nurses gain competence in using Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC), and improve the quality of care by detecting delirium early in intensive care unit patients.Material and Method: The research is a descriptive and correlational study. The sample consisted of 55 patients in an intensive care unit. Data of the study was collected with the Personal Information Form, the Richmond Agitation and Sedation Scale, the Glasgow Coma Scale, and the Nu-DESC.Results: The majority of patients (89%) demonstrated the symptoms of anxiety and agitation. There was a significant correlation between age and the day delirium was detected and the Nu-DESC. In the study, isolation need, ventilator support, and pain were determined as risk factors. Conclusion: The results of the study revealed the necessity of using measurement tools for the early detection of delirium in clinical practice by nurses.