Psychiatric Emergencies Flashcards
Agitated delirium
A mental and physiological state of arousal that is usually
characterized by extreme strength and endurance, tolerance
to pain, hostility, and hyperactive behavior; may result in
sudden cardiac death; also called excited delirium.
Anxiety
A state of painful uneasiness about impending problems
characterized by agitation and restlessness.
Behavior
The way a person acts or performs.
Behavioral emergency
A situation in which a person exhibits abnormal behavior.
Bipolar disorder
A psychiatric condition, also known as manic-depressive
disorder, characterized by wide swings between periods of
depression and periods of elation and manic behavior.
Depression
One of the most common psychiatric conditions; characterized
by deep feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and
discouragement, feelings that often do not seem connected to
the actual circumstances of the patient’s life.
Humane restraints
Padded soft leather or cloth straps used to tie down patients
down to keep them from hurting themselves or others
Paranoia
A highly exaggerated or unwarranted mistrust or
suspiciousness.
Phobia
An irrational fear of specific things, places, or situations.
Psychosis
State of delusion in which a person is out of touch with reality.
Reasonable force
The minimum amount of force required to keep a patient from
injuring himself or others.
Schizophrenia
The name given to a group of mental disorders characterized
by debilitating distortions of speech and thought, bizarre
delusions, hallucinations, social withdrawal, and lack of
emotional expressiveness.
