Chapter 20: Psychiatric Emergencies Flashcards
Discuss
Behavioral crisis
Reaction to events that interferes with the activities of daily living or has become unacceptable to the pt, family, or community
Discuss
Psychiatric emergency
Pt may show agitation or violence or become a threat to himself or others
Discuss
Psychiatric disorder
An illness with psychological or behavioral symptoms that may result in impaired functioning
Discuss
Two categories of diagnosis
Organic (physical) and functional (psychological)
Discuss
Organic brain syndrome
Dysfunction of the brain caused by disturbance in physiological function of brain tissue
Discuss
Functional disorder
When abnormal function cannot be traced to structure of physiology
Discuss
Safety guidelines for psychiatric emergencies
- Be prepared to spend extra time
- Have a definite plan of action
- Identify self calmly
- Be direct
- Assess the scene
- Stay with the pt
- Encourage purposeful movement
- Express interest in pt’s story
- Don’t get too close
- Do allow pt between you and exit
- Avoid fighting
- Be honest and reassuring
- Don’t judge
Discuss
Psychosis
State of delusion in which person is out of touch with reality
Discuss
Schizophrenia
Pt may experience delusions, hallucinations, lack of interest in pleasure, erratic speech.
Discuss
Agitated delirium
Condition of impairment in cognitive function that can represent with disorientation, hallucinations, delucsions, combined with agitation and restless activity
Discuss
Suicide warning signs
Pt air of despair/depression? Avoid eye contact/project sense of vacancy? Seem unable to talk about future? Any suggestion of suicide? Any specific plans relating to death?
Discuss
Using restraints
At least one person for each extremity
