Confusion

Confusion is a state of altered mental status characterised by impaired awareness, disorientation, and difficulty in thinking clearly or processing information. It matters in clinical practice as it can indicate underlying neurological, metabolic, or psychiatric conditions requiring urgent evaluation and intervention. A key association is delirium, which can complicate hospital stays, leading to increased morbidity and prolonged recovery times if not promptly addressed.

Alternative Meanings:

Confusion
Confusion is a state of altered mental status characterized by impaired awareness, disorientation, and difficulty in thinking clearly or responding appropriately to stimuli. It is clinically significant as it can indicate underlying conditions such as infections, metabolic disturbances, or neurological disorders, necessitating prompt evaluation and management. A key association is delirium, which can complicate hospital stays and adversely affect patient outcomes if not addressed.