Delirium and its adverse effects on elderly patients in an intensive care environment focusing on the elderly. Delirium is an acute state of confusion, attention and perception. Although generally reversible, delirium is characterized by an inability to pay attention, disorientation, inability to think clearly, and fluctuating level of consciousness (Aguirre, 2009). These changes develop over a short period of time and often result from an underlying health condition, substance abuse, or both (Fong, Tulebaev, & Inouye, 2009). As a result of this research, the intent is to focus on how the clinical nurse can positively impact the outcome of a patient with delirium by implementing evidence-based guidelines. evidence through the use of routine assessment tools, involving family members, and reducing adverse effects associated with delirium. Impact of the problem Circumstances surrounding the problem. Delirium is quite common in hospital settings, particularly in intensive care (cite). All ages can be affected, but statistics confirm that cognitive impairment most often affects people over 65 (Khan, Calvo-Ayala, & Ionescu, 2009). Symptoms of delirium may be characterized by agitation, confusion, anger, disorientation, agitation, and aggressive behavior (Aguirre, 2010). Individual and societal impact of the problem. Recent studies have shown that undiagnosed and untreated delirium can become chronic and create an ongoing sequence of events that could have a permanent impact on a person's life. The elderly person may suffer a loss of autonomy, institutionalization or death. According to Aguirre (2010)...... middle of paper ......it is prevention and treatment. Retrieved from the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health website: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3065676/.Khan, BA, Calvo-Ayala, E ., Ionescu, R., Buckley, JD, Farber, MO, Campbell, N. and... Boustani, MA (2013). Clinical decision support system and incidence of delirium in cognitively impaired older adults transferred to intensive care. American Journal of Critical Care, 22(3), 257-262. doi:10.4037/ajcc2013447. Riker, RR and Fraser, GL (2013). Practice guidelines for pain, agitation and delirium. American Journal of Critical Care, 22(2), 153-157. doi:10.4037/ajcc2013480.Sendelbach, Sue. & Guthrie, Patty. (2009). Identification, assessment, treatment and prevention of acute confusion/delirium. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 35(11), 11-18. do I:10.3928/00989134-20090930-0.