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The characteristic commonly evaluated in both the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) and the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC) is inattention.

Inattention is a pivotal feature of delirium, and both assessment tools specifically focus on identifying it as a core aspect of the condition. The CAM-ICU assesses inattention through direct tasks or observations, such as asking the patient to repeat a series of numbers, while the ICDSC also considers inattention within its criteria. Evaluating inattention helps healthcare providers make a diagnosis of delirium and determine the appropriate treatment and management strategies for critically ill patients. This focus on cognitive function is crucial, especially in ICU settings where delirium significantly impacts patient outcomes.

In contrast, the other options—pain levels, heart rate, and respiratory rate—are not central factors in the evaluation criteria for these specific tools. While they are important vital signs and considerations in ICU care, they do not directly pertain to the assessment of delirium, which is the focus of both the CAM-ICU and ICDSC instruments.