Which of the following describes devices that increase delirium risk?

Which of the following describes devices that increase delirium risk?

• A. Oxygen saturation monitor
• B. Blood glucose monitor
• C. Use of tubes, catheters, and drains
• D. ICU monitor

Answer: (C)

In ICU delirium risk, invasive devices that intrude into the body are a major contributing factor. The use of tubes, catheters, and drains can cause ongoing physical discomfort or pain, limit mobility, and often require sedation. They also raise infection risk (for example, catheter-associated infections) and generate continuous alarms and noise that disturb sleep, all of which can disrupt cognition and precipitate delirium. These elements—discomfort, immobilization, infection risk, and sleep disruption—work together to raise delirium risk more than many noninvasive monitoring devices. Noninvasive or minimally invasive monitors like oxygen saturation monitors, ICU monitors, and blood glucose monitors primarily serve to track physiology. While alarms from any monitor can contribute to sensory overload, they do not inherently cause the same level of discomfort, immobilization, or infection risk as intrusive tubes or catheters, so they are less directly linked to delirium risk.

In ICU delirium risk, invasive devices that intrude into the body are a major contributing factor. The use of tubes, catheters, and drains can cause ongoing physical discomfort or pain, limit mobility, and often require sedation. They also raise infection risk (for example, catheter-associated infections) and generate continuous alarms and noise that disturb sleep, all of which can disrupt cognition and precipitate delirium. These elements—discomfort, immobilization, infection risk, and sleep disruption—work together to raise delirium risk more than many noninvasive monitoring devices.

Noninvasive or minimally invasive monitors like oxygen saturation monitors, ICU monitors, and blood glucose monitors primarily serve to track physiology. While alarms from any monitor can contribute to sensory overload, they do not inherently cause the same level of discomfort, immobilization, or infection risk as intrusive tubes or catheters, so they are less directly linked to delirium risk.