Chapter 23: Behavioral Health Emergencies

Question 1

What is EDP?

Answer 1

Emotionally
Disturbed
People

Question 2

What is key in behavioral health emergencies?

Answer 2

Communication

Question 3

What are EMTs not required to do in a behavioral health emergency?

Answer 3

Diagnose the underlying cause

Question 4

What is the difference between organic and functional categories of behavioral crisis?

Answer 4

Organic: see something wrong with organ
-sudden onset, memory issues, abnormal pupils, excessive salvation, breath odor
Functional: Cannot see something wrong with organ
-hallucinations

Question 5

What makes a behavioral crisis?

Answer 5

Its interference with daily life

Question 6

What is special about a behavioral health emergency?

Answer 6

Law enforcement may be needed, this call will take extra time so that you can build trust, be clear about who you are and what you want the patient to do, keep physical and emotional distance,

Question 7

What should you do before physical restraint?

Answer 7

De-escalate verbally, ALS can chemically restrain the patient,
Physical restraint may lead to death
Document EVERYTHING VERY carefully especially reason for using restraints