Answer to Question 1
Delirium can be caused by a variety of medical conditions such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, or metabolic condition. Delirium can also be caused by things such as medication side effects, substance intoxication or withdrawal, and even exposure to toxins. Because they take more medications, on average, than any other age group, older persons are more susceptible to delirium. However, delirium is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and the symptoms ascribed to other causes.
Answer to Question 2
Multidimensional assessment is often done by a team of professionals. This may include a variety of individuals such as one's physician, nurse, psychologist, and social worker. To make an accurate assessment of a person, it is important to have input from people who can speak to, measure, and/or test one's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. It is also important to consider one's life-cycle and sociocultural forces. Particular demographic variables of the individual themselves, such as racial and ethnic background and gender, are also important to consider when trying to make accurate assessments.