What percentage of patients remain delirious upon discharge?

• A. 5%
• B. 20%
• C. 30%
• D. 10%

Answer: (D)

Delirium is common in the ICU, but most patients improve as they recover from critical illness. The question asking how many remain delirious at discharge points to the small but important minority who have persistent delirium after their acute illness has resolved. The best-supported figure in adult ICU populations is about 10% remaining delirious at discharge. This reflects the reality that while intensive monitoring and targeted prevention/management reduce delirium duration, a subset still experiences ongoing cognitive disturbance as they leave the ICU and hospital.

Understanding this helps with discharge planning and post-discharge needs, since persistent delirium is linked to longer hospital stays, higher mortality, and potential longer-term cognitive impairment. Screening with tools like CAM-ICU and applying delirium-prevention strategies (minimizing unnecessary sedation, promoting sleep, early mobility) are key steps that can influence these outcomes.

Other percentages are less representative across typical adult ICU populations; for example, a higher figure may appear in some cohorts, but the general, commonly cited estimate used in CCRN material is that about 10% remain delirious at discharge.