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Table 4.4

Urgent Investigation in Delirium

Blood glucose
  • Plasma sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine
  • Liver function tests, albumin and calcium
  • Full blood count
  • Prothrombin time or international normalized ratio (INR) if suspected liver disease
  • C-reactive protein
  • Blood culture if temperature <36 or >38°C
  • Urine stick test; microscopy and culture if stick test abnormal or evidence of sepsis
  • ECG
  • Chest X-ray
  • Arterial blood gases if arterial oxygen saturation <92% or new chest signs
  • Neuroimaging, if indicated: see text (point 4)
  • Lumbar puncture, if indicated: see text (point 5)
  • EEG, if indicated: see text