Psychiatric Legislation

Question 1

How does violence differ from aggression?

Answer 1

Aggression need not involve physical force/injury

Question 2

What are the 4 main aspects of managing aggressive behaviour? (PRIP)

Answer 2

Prediction e.g. body language
Recognition
Intervention e.g. restraint, seclusion, tranquilisation
Prevention e.g. deescalation, observation, room layout

Question 3

What are the criteria that must be met in order to detain someone under the Mental Health Act?

Answer 3

Suspected mental disorder
No alternative treatment
Risk to themselves/others
SIDMA (significantly impaired decision making ability)
Necessity

Question 4

What counts as a mental disorder under the Mental Health Act?

Answer 4

Mental illness
Personality disorder
Learning disability

Question 5

Who can use an emergency certificate to detain someone?

Answer 5

Any registered medical practitioner (including junior doctors)

Question 6

Who can use a short term detention and compulsory treatment order to detain someone?

Answer 6

Approved medical practitioner

Question 7

When is emergency detention used?

Answer 7

Where it is necessary to detain a patient to fully assess their mental state to prevent risk to themselves and/or others

Question 8

Emergency detention requires the approval of a mental health officer. True/False?

Answer 8

False

Recommended but can proceed without if urgent

Question 9

How long does an emergency detention last for?

Answer 9

Maximum 72 hours

Question 10

Emergency detention authorises treatment. True/False?

Answer 10

False

Only if it’s an emergency

Question 11

Short term detention requires approval from a mental health officer. True/False?

Answer 11

True

Question 12

How long does a short term order last?

Answer 12

28 days

Question 13

Short term detention authorises treatment. True/False?

Answer 13

True

Question 14

A patient can appeal emergency and short term detentions. True/False?

Answer 14

False

Can appeal short term detention only

Question 15

Who is required to verify a compulsory treatment order?

Answer 15

Mental health officer
Approved medical practioner
+1 other (usually GP)

Question 16

How long does a compulsory treatment order last?

Answer 16

Up to 6 months after tribunal hearing

Question 17

Which drugs are the mainstay for tranquilisation?

Answer 17

Lorazepam

and/or haloperidol if confirmed history of antipsychotic exposure

Question 18

When is short term detention used?

Answer 18

Patient’s ability to make decisions about treatment is impaired due to their mental disorder and it is necessary to detain them to determine what treatment should be given to prevent harm to themselves/others

Question 19

What management should be given before rapid tranquilisation is given?

Answer 19

Non-drug approahces
Distraction
Seclusion
Talking to patient