obtundation
Muted mental alertness
Obtundation is a medical term for a dulled or reduced level of consciousness, less severe than coma but more profound than drowsiness.
A patient in this state responds sluggishly to stimulation and may be confused or difficult to rouse: The head injury caused significant obtundation.
The related verb obtund means to blunt or deaden sensation.
Abnormal drowsiness and apathy
- stuporSuspended sensibility
- drowsinessState of near-sleep
- altered consciousnessModified mental state
- encephalopathyDisease impairing brain function
sedation · unresponsiveness · coma · delirium · confusion · somnolence · neurological · disorientation
Injury to the skull
- overdoseHarmful excess intake
- intoxicationSubstance-induced mental impairment
- metabolic disorderImpaired cellular chemical processing
- hypoglycemiaInsufficient blood glucose
hypoxia · sepsis · uremia · stroke · meningitis · electrolyte imbalance · hypothyroidism · carbon monoxide
Readiness to react
- stimulationEvoking a response
- arousabilityEase of being stimulated
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
- neurological examClinical nervous system evaluation
reflexes · eye opening · motor response · baseline · deterioration · monitoring · evaluation · scoring
lethargy
Abnormal drowsiness and apathy
- stuporSuspended sensibility
- drowsinessState of near-sleep
- altered consciousnessModified mental state
encephalopathy · sedation · unresponsiveness · coma · delirium · confusion · somnolence · neurological · disorientation · sluggishness
head trauma
Injury to the skull
- overdoseHarmful excess intake
- intoxicationSubstance-induced mental impairment
- metabolic disorderImpaired cellular chemical processing
hypoglycemia · hypoxia · sepsis · uremia · stroke · meningitis · electrolyte imbalance · hypothyroidism · carbon monoxide · benzodiazepines
responsiveness
Readiness to react
- stimulationEvoking a response
- arousabilityEase of being stimulated
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
neurological exam · reflexes · eye opening · motor response · baseline · deterioration · monitoring · evaluation · scoring · documentation
obtundationalertness
Active mental awareness
wakefulness · awareness · lucidity · vigilance · arousal
obtundationcoma
Unwakeable unconsciousness
unconsciousness · unresponsiveness · stupor · deep sedation · brain death
obtundationmental sharpness
acuity · clarity · mental clarity · clear-headedness · quick-wittedness