Current Status of Risk Factors and Nursing Strategies for Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Tumor Patients

Abstract

Postoperative delirium (POD) is a common complication of the central nervous system in elderly patients after surgery. The incidence of delirium in elderly patients over 65 years old is significant, manifested by acute decreased consciousness levels, attention, cognition, and perception disorders, and its course is fluctuating, mostly occurring 1~3 days after surgery. POD can not only delay the recovery of elderly patients, prolong their postoperative hospitalization days, increase medical expenses, but also be closely related to an increase in postoperative mortality. Therefore, understanding the clinical manifestations and risk factors of delirium can help to correctly understand the etiology, pathogenesis, and predict adverse outcomes of delirium, thereby affecting treat-ment decisions and nursing management. This article reviews the risk factors, prognosis, and nursing strategies of postoperative delirium in elderly tumor patients, with the aim of providing reference for clinical nursing staff to conduct research and nursing practice on delirium.