Please Help! What does ∆ms mean?

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  1. This is a discussion on Please Help! What does ∆ms mean? in General Nursing Student, part of Nursing Student ... One of my patients' admitting diagnosis was respiratory failure, GI bleed, and ∆ms. I have no idea...

    by Sep 15, '12
    One of my patients' admitting diagnosis was respiratory failure, GI bleed, and ∆ms. I have no idea what ∆ms means. I initially thought of multiple sclerosis but the triangle symbol is throwing me off. I'm working on a careplan and I want to make sure my care is thorough. Thanks for your help. Next time, I'll just ask...
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    by ArmyTwinRN Sep 15, '12 4:33 pm
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  3. 8 Comments so far...

  4. Sep 15, '12 by
    Do you think the triangle was a sloppy A, meaning AMS altered mental status ??? Never saw that in a dx before.
  5. Sep 15, '12 by
    or a change in mental status.. The triangle means change so maybe

    I really don't know, just guessing at this point.
    Mully and ArmyTwinRN like this.
  6. Sep 15, '12 by
    Triangles usually indicate a change in something. As for the MS, it may refer to their mental state.

    I know for sure the triangle is a change symbol, I've used it in chemistry and math, as well as general biology. I'm doing prerequisites though so I have no confidence in my answer for MS.
  7. Sep 15, '12 by
    OMG! You are RIGHT! My patient came in with a change in mental status! You are a life saver!!! THANK YOU...THANK YOU...THANK YOU! I'll always remember that from now on
  8. Sep 15, '12 by
    Thanks! You are right! I guess I learned that at some point before I started nursing school, LOL! I'm completing my last semester and I guess I lost some things along the way
  9. Sep 15, '12 by
    Yeah that's what I thought as well. AMS is very popular among diagnosis. I'm glad you figured it out.
  10. Sep 17, '12 by
    Change in mental status or altered mental status
  11. Sep 17, '12 by
    That's not a triangle, that's a delta, the mathematical sign for "change in" or "difference." You'll see it a lot in documentation. It's read out loud as "Delta."

    "AMS" is common diagnosis in your facility, IMKosher? Scary business. Now you can tell them what it really means-- and it's not really an "A."
    Last edit by GrnTea on Sep 17, '12
    KelRN215 likes this.