Chapter 23 - [additional] Behavioral Health Emergencies Flashcards
A behavioral crisis is MOST accurately defined as:
A. a severe, acute behavioral condition in which the patient becomes violent and presents a safety threat to self or to others.
B. any reaction to events that interferes with activities of daily living or has become unacceptable to the patient, family, or community.
C. a normal response of a patient to a situation that causes an overwhelming amount of stress, such as the loss of a job or marital problems.
D. a reaction to a stressful event that the patient feels is appropriate but is considered inappropriate by the patient’s family or the community.
B. any reaction to events that interferes with activities of daily living or has become unacceptable to the patient, family, or community.
Depression and schizophrenia are examples of:
A. functional disorders.
B. altered mental status.
C. behavioral emergencies.
D. organic brain syndrome.
A. functional disorders.
Unlike an organic disorder, a functional disorder cannot be linked to any physical dysfunction or failure of an organ. Depression, schizophrenia, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and bipolar disorder are examples of functional disorders. They are usually caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain—not a structural or physical abnormality.
When assessing a patient with a behavioral crisis, your primary concern must be:
A. allowing the patient to express himself or herself to you in his or her own words.
B. setting your personal feelings aside and providing needed care.
C. gathering the patient’s belongings and taking them to the hospital.
D. whether the patient will cause harm to you or your partner.
D. whether the patient will cause harm to you or your partner.
General guidelines to follow when caring for a patient with a behavioral crisis include all of the following, EXCEPT:
A. being honest and reassuring.
B. rapidly transporting the patient.
C. having a definite plan of action.
D. avoiding arguing with the patient.
B. rapidly transporting the patient.
prepare to spend extra time
Reflective listening, an assessment technique used when caring for patients with an emotional crisis, involves:
A. asking the patient to repeat his or her statements.
B. simply listening to the patient, without speaking.
C. asking the patient to repeat everything that you say.
D. repeating, in question form, what the patient tells you.
D. repeating, in question form, what the patient tells you.
Which of the following patients is at HIGHEST risk for suicide?
A. A 24-year-old woman who is successfully being treated for depression
B. A 29-year-old man who was recently promoted with a large pay increase
C. A 33-year-old man who regularly consumes alcohol and purchased a gun
D. A 45-year-old woman who recently found out her cancer is in full remission
C. A 33-year-old man who regularly consumes alcohol and purchased a gun
When caring for a patient with an emotional crisis who is calm and not in need of immediate emergency care, your BEST course of action is to:
A. advise the patient that he or she cannot refuse treatment.
B. leave the patient with a trusted friend or family member.
C. attempt to obtain consent from the patient to transport.
D. apply soft restraints in case the patient becomes violent.
C. attempt to obtain consent from the patient to transport.
When physically restraining a violent patient, the EMT should:
A. continually talk to the patient as he or she is being restrained.
B. check circulation in all extremities only if the patient is prone.
C. remove the restraints if the patient appears to be calming down.
D. use additional force if the restrained patient begins to yell at the providers.
A. continually talk to the patient as he or she is being restrained.
Treat the patient with dignity and respect—regardless of the situation. Once restraints are placed, they should not be removed, even if the patient appears to be calm. Circulation in all extremities should be monitored, regardless of the position in which the patient is restrained.
Upon arrival at the residence of a young male with an apparent emotional crisis, a police officer tells you that the man is acting bizarrely. You find him sitting on his couch; he is conscious but confused. He takes medications but cannot remember why. His skin is pale and diaphoretic, and he has noticeable tremors to his hands. You should FIRST rule out:
A. hypoglycemia.
B. suicidal thoughts.
C. severe depression.
D. schizophrenia.
A. hypoglycemia
The EMT should rule out an underlying medical cause first. The patient’s pallor, diaphoresis, and motor tremors suggest hypoglycemia. The EMT should assess the patient’s blood glucose level, if trained to do so, and consider administering oral glucose. Behavioral health disorders, such as clinical depression and schizophrenia, cannot be ruled in or out in the field.
Organic brain syndrome is defined as:
Select one:
A.
a change in behavior or mental status secondary to decreased cerebral blood flow.
B.
bizarre behavior secondary to a chemical imbalance or disturbance in the brain.
C.
a disorder that cannot be traced to the abnormal structure or function of an organ.
D.
a dysfunction of the brain caused by abnormal physical or physiological function
D.
a dysfunction of the brain caused by abnormal physical or physiological function
Which of the following statements regarding the physical examination of a patient with a behavioral problem is correct?
Select one:
A.
The physical examination of a patient with a behavioral problem often yields crucial information and should always be performed, even if the patient is violent.
B.
Performing a physical examination on a patient with a behavioral problem will likely cause him or her to become violent and should be avoided in the field.
C.
It is only appropriate to perform a physical examination on a patient with a behavioral problem if he or she is unconscious or is being physically restrained.
D.
Although the physical exam can be difficult, the patient’s emotional state may be determined by noting facial expressions, pulse rate, and respirations.
D.
Although the physical exam can be difficult, the patient’s emotional state may be determined by noting facial expressions, pulse rate, and respirations.
Which of the following conditions or situations would MOST likely make excited delirium worse?
Select one:
A.
Limited physical contact
B.
Dimly lit environment
C.
Elevated blood glucose
D.
Alcohol withdrawal
D.
Alcohol withdrawal
Common causes of acute psychotic behavior include all of the following, EXCEPT:
Select one:
A.
mind-altering substance use.
B.
schizophrenia.
C.
intense stress.
D.
Alzheimer’s disease.
D.
Alzheimer’s disease.
A technique used to gain insight into a patient’s thinking, which involves repeating in question form what the patient has said, is called:
Select one:
A.
passive listening.
B.
intuitive listening.
C.
reflective listening.
D.
active listening.
C.
reflective listening.
After ensuring his or her own safety, the EMT’s next priority when caring for a patient with a behavioral emergency is to:
Select one:
A.
assess the patient’s response to his or her environment.
B.
transport the patient directly to a specialized psychiatric facility.
C.
diagnose the patient’s problem and provide definitive treatment.
D.
determine the underlying cause of the problem and offer advice.
A.
assess the patient’s response to his or her environment.
