Psychiatric Emergencies (chapter 21) Flashcards
definition of “behavior”
what you can physically observe of a person’s response to their environment (ex: actions/reactions)
Abnormal or maladaptive behavior
loosely defined as anything which deviates from society’s norms and expectations. Tends to interfere with well being or ability to function. Could possibly harm individual or group
ADL’s
Activities of Daily Living
Depression
Medical diagnosis of a persistent feeling of sadness, despair or discouragement.
Behavioral emergency
vs
Psychiatric emergency
Behavioral: reaction to events with interrupt ADLs. Usually inappropriate behavior/unacceptable reactions
Psychiatric: MUCH more likely to respond with agitation or violence. More severe, more likely to become threat to self or others.
“No longer able to respond appropriately to environment”
Common (Medical) Causes of Behavioral Alterations
Hypoglycemia Hypoperfusion Head Trauma Hypoxia Mind Altering Substances Environmental Exposures (hot/cold) Meningitis Seizures Toxic Ingestion Overdose Withdrawals from drugs or alcohol
two MAIN psych categories of diagnosis
Dr’s will “diagnose” NOT AEMT
Organic:
temporary or permanent brain dysfunction. Something inside the brain is injured/damaged/not within homeostasis
Functional:
NOT attributed to a physical screw up in the brain. Not definitively caused by (physical) brain dysfunction. Example: depression, anorexia, anxiety
Psychogenic
symptoms or illnesses caused by MENTAL factors as opposed to physical ones.
Ex: Anxiety attack so severe, pt presents with hypertensive BP readings.
Vital signs on a psych call
obtain when it wont exacerbate (make worse) your patient’s distress
Be on the look out for signs/symptoms of fever or increased crainial pressure.
psychosis
state of delusion in which the person is out of touch with reality . Line between reality and fantasy may have blurred or been lost completely.
Schizophrenia
complex disorder, no easy signs/symptoms or definition.
Can manifest as delusions, hallucinations, lack of interest in pleasure or erratic speech.
questions regarding suicide
Don’t be afraid to ask patient. It will not “give them ideas”
Have they thought of harming themselves?
Harming others?
Do they have a plan? Tell me about your plan.
agitated delirium
agitated: restless, upset, irregular physical behavior
delirium: impaired cognitive function. Can present as hallucinations, delusions, disoriented.
Leave a psych patient alone or unattended?
NO!!
Why restrain your patient?
ONLY to protect yourself or others from bodily harm, or prevent patient from causing injury to themselves.
BUT: use medical control, law enforcement as protocol dictates
