Opi
Calc
BODE Index (Palliative context)
CAM-S (Confusion Assessment Method - Severity)
CPOT (Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool)
Death Rattle Scoring (Victoria)
Distress Thermometer
Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-r)
FAST Scale (Dementia)
IPOS (Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale)
Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS)
Menten Score
Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose (MEDD)
Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC)
Opioid Risk Tool (ORT)
PAINAD Scale
Palliative Performance Scale (PPSv2)
Palliative Prognostic (PaP) Score
Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI)
Respiratory Distress Observation Scale (RDOS)
Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS-PAL)
Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM)
e-PaP Score
Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu-DESC)
Nu-DESC: Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (5-item rapid screening for nurses).
Disorientation (0-1)
0 - Oriented to person/place/time
1 - Disoriented to person/place/time
Inappropriate Behavior (0-1)
0 - Appropriate behavior
1 - Inappropriate behavior
Lethargy/Alertness (0-1)
0 - Alert, responsive
1 - Lethargic, drowsy, difficult to arouse
Psychomotor Changes (0-1)
0 - No psychomotor changes
1 - Agitation, restlessness, picking
Sleep-Wake Cycle (0-1)
0 - Normal sleep-wake cycle
1 - Disrupted sleep-wake cycle
Calculate Nu-DESC Score
Guidelines & Evidence
Clinical Details
Section 1
When to Use
When to Use
Rapid bedside screening for delirium in palliative and hospitalized patients
Identification of delirium for appropriate management
Serial monitoring during acute illness or end-of-life care
Distinguishing delirium from dementia and depression
Section 2
Formula & Logic
Scale Components
Disorientation/confusion
Inappropriate behavior
Inability to focus attention
Level of consciousness
Sleep/wake cycle disturbance
Scoring Interpretation
Score 0
No delirium
Score ≥ 1
Delirium likely; sensitivity 85%, specificity 86%
Section 3
Pearls/Pitfalls
Key Advantages
Quick 2–3 minute assessment by nursing staff
High sensitivity and specificity
No special equipment; bedside observation only
Validated across palliative and acute care settings
Last Comprehensive Review: 2026
Related Palliative Care Tools
Edmonton Symptom Assessment System
IPOS
Distress Thermometer
Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale
Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose
Opioid Risk Tool
PAINAD Scale
CPOT
Respiratory Distress Observation Scale
Death Rattle Scoring
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