Acute Behavioural Disturbance (ABD)

Question 1

What does ABD stand for?

Answer 1

Acute Behavioural Disturbance

Question 2

Signs and symptoms of ABD?

Answer 2

• Unexpected physical strength
• Hot to the touch, excessive sweating, removal of clothing
• Bizarre and/or aggressive behaviour
• Rapid breathing and increased pulse rate
• Confused thinking and speech
• Agitation, disorientation and hallucination
• Paranoia with fear of impending doom
• Insensitivity to point

Question 3

What is ABD?

Answer 3

• When a person exhibits agitated, aggressive, violent and/or psychotic behaviour

Question 4

What is ABD caused by?

Answer 4

• Adrenaline
• Stimulant drugs/ drink
• Mental Health
• Psychiatric illness
• Medical conditions (e.g. inflammation of the brain (meningitis), over active thyroid, head injuries, low blood sugar)

Question 5

What does the ‘CAMERAS’ mnemonic stand for?

Answer 5

C = Contain, avoid/minimise restraint where possible
A = Ambulance, Cat 1 call
M = Monitor vital signs
E = Explain (and listen) about what you are doing to people and family
R = Relay information to ambulance and from family
A = ABD = A&E
S = Sedation, healthcare sedation to reduce overdrive and restraint

Question 6

What signs should you be looking for when monitoring suspected ABD detainees?

Answer 6

• Colour of the face/skin - blue, red, purple
• Are they sweating/ hot to touch?
• Fast or slow breathing rate?
• Is their pulse fast?
• Are they making noises but not coherent in speech?
• Are they having calm periods or alternating between being calm and agitated?

Question 7

What do the ambulance crew want to know when we are handing over an ABD detainee?

Answer 7

mnemonic = ATMIST
A = Age of causality
T = Time of the incident
M = Mechanism of injury
I = Injuries or illnesses
S = Signs and symptoms
T = Treatment given