Chapter 20: Psychiatric Emergencies

Question 1

At one time or another, one in ________ Americans has some type of mental disorder.

Answer 1

five

Question 2

Schizophrenia and depression are good examples of:

Answer 2

functional disorders

Question 3

In assessing a nonthreatening patient in a behavioral emergency, it can be useful to gather information separately from

Answer 3

parents, caregivers, relatives

Question 4

When working with a potentially hostile or violent patient, remove:

Answer 4

everyone who is not needed

Question 5

Which of the following is not a risk factor to assess the level of danger?

• posture
• physical activity
• the scene
• nervous gestures

Answer 5

• nervous gestures

Question 6

Although depression can create behavioral problems in geriatric patients, another cause of abnormal behavior is:

Answer 6

dementia

Question 7

Because behavioral emergencies are fraught with legal dangers, which of the following is not essential information if the case is reviewed for medicolegal reasons?

• everything that happened on the call
• everything that happened prior to your arrival
• all situations that required restraints
• why restraints were used

Answer 7

• everything that happened prior to your arrival

Question 8

The single most significant factor that contributes to suicide is:

Answer 8

depression

Question 9

If you have difficulty or are unsuccessful gathering the patient’s history, a technique frequently used by mental health professionals is to gain insight into the patient’s thinking. This technique is called:

Answer 9

reflective listening

Question 10

t is just as important to treat mental illness as it is to treat the medical or traumatic problem; however, when faced with a behavioral emergency, you should:

Answer 10

focus on treating the life threats

Question 11

Any reaction to events that has become unacceptable to the patient, family, or community is known as a:

Answer 11

behavioral crisis

Question 12

Organic brain syndrome can be caused by any of the following except:

• sudden illness.
• recent trauma.
• receipt of bad news.
• meningitis.

Answer 12

• receipt of bad news.

Question 13

At least ________ people should be used when restraining a patient.

Answer 13

four

Question 14

_____ develops some symptoms of mental illness in their life

Answer 14

everyone

Question 15

_____ is behavioral problems brought on by dysfunction of the brain

Answer 15

organic brain syndrome

Question 16

1st priority when responding to a psych emergency

Answer 16

personal safety

Question 17

assess patients mental status with

Answer 17

AVPU scale

Question 18

if obtaining vital signs will exacerbate the patient’s emotional distress _____ obtain them

Answer 18

DONT

Question 19

take extra care when documenting the use of

Answer 19

restraints

Question 20

risk factors to assess the potential \_\_\_\_ of a violent patient include
history
posture
scene
vocal and physical activity

Answer 20

danger level