Psych Emergencies Flashcards
Define ALOC
change in behavior, mentation, communication, and/or level of consciousness
Sx’s of delirium
disturbed level & content of consciousness, poor attention, disorganized thinking, rapid onset, fluctuates, psychomotor changes, hallucinations, sx’s increase at night
Sx;s of dementia
normal level, altered content of consciousness, gradual onset, deficits in memory, language, attention, orientation, visual-spatial
Visual hallucinations are ____ while auditory hallucinations are of _____ cause
visual = organic auditory = psychiatric
ALOC DDx: “AEIOU TIPS”
Alcohol, Epilepsy, Insulin, Opiates/other Drugs, Uremia (liver), Trauma, Infxn, Psych, Shock
ALOC protocol/workup
Vitals, pulse ox, D-stick, EtOH (breathilizer), Temp, EKG, UPT, check pupils, skin
What is an appropriate starting does for Narcan?
1-2mg
A dead person will score what in the GCS?
3
GCS Motor categories (6pts)
6 = obeys commands, 5 = localizes to pain, 4 = w/d from pain 3 = decorticate 2 = decerebrate 1 = no response to pain
GCS Verbal categories (5pts)
5 = oriented 4 = disoriented 3 = inappropriate 2 = incomprehensible 1 = no response
GCS Eye categories (4pts)
4 = open 3 = open to command 2 = open to pain 1 = no response
What other labs can you order that are not in the ALOC protocol?
CBC, Chem panel, UA, CK, Mg, APAP, ASA, Med levels, TSH ,RPR, lactate
Who needs a medical workup for organic causes?
no previous psych hx, > 40yo and 1st psych issue, abn vitals, trauma, recent memory loss, impaired consciousness
What drug can treat a dystonic rxn from typical AP’s?
benadryl
What are sx’s of neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
ALOC, fever, lead pipe rigidity, autonomic instability
