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)
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
Palliative Performance Scale
Palliative Prognostic Index
Palliative Prognostic
e-PaP Score
Menten Score
Edmonton Symptom Assessment System
IPOS
Distress Thermometer
Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale
Morphine Equivalent Daily Dose
Have feedback about this calculator?
Let us know.
