American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

What is one of the features of the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) for diagnosing delirium?

1. Memory improvement

2. Inattention and difficulty focusing

3. Increased alertness

4. Enhanced communication skills

The correct answer is: Inattention and difficulty focusing

The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) is a widely used tool for diagnosing delirium, and one of its primary features is the presence of inattention and difficulty focusing. Delirium is characterized by a sudden change in attention and cognition, which makes it difficult for patients to concentrate or follow conversations. This inattention is a hallmark symptom of delirium and is crucial for establishing a diagnosis. The CAM includes criteria that assess this inattention along with other cognitive and behavioral changes. Recognizing these issues is essential, as they indicate a disturbance in the cognitive function, which is central to delirium's presentation. Other symptoms specified in the CAM include acute onset and fluctuating course, disorganized thinking, and altered level of consciousness, but the feature of inattention is fundamental to identifying the disorder. Considering the other options, memory improvement, increased alertness, and enhanced communication skills do not align with the characteristics observed in delirium. In fact, patients with delirium often experience memory deficits, reduced alertness, and impaired communication abilities, which further differentiates the condition from other cognitive disorders. Thus, the recognition of inattention is vital in diagnosing delirium using the CAM.