Operational sequence
- Check onset age, speed, fluctuation, orientation, and level of consciousness.
- Look for fever, seizure, injury, focal signs, endocrine change, infection, or medication burden.
- Compare with documented baseline and collateral history.
- Audit chart merges and medication administration.
- Protect decision-making autonomy while urgent evaluation proceeds.
Failure states
- Assuming a psychiatric ward completed the medical workup
- Dismissing late-onset symptoms as age
- Extracting secrets during delirium
- Using one test as total causation