The mnemonic I Watch Death is used to remember delirium etiologies. Which item is included?

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Delirium is caused by a range of acute medical problems, and clinicians use mnemonics like I WATCH DEATH to remember common precipitants. The first letter corresponds to Infection, so infection is included in this set of delirium etiologies. Infections, such as urinary tract infections or pneumonia, are frequent triggers for delirium, especially in older adults, because they provoke systemic inflammation, fever, fluid and electrolyte disturbances, and metabolic stress that can disrupt brain function and attention.

Seizures can affect mental status but aren’t listed as a separate etiology in this mnemonic; asthma isn’t a typical delirium trigger in this framework; anemia can contribute indirectly via hypoxia but isn’t a distinct category in the mnemonic. Thus, infection is the item included.