Behavioral Problems

Question 1

What are some possible causes of behavioral problems?

Answer 1

• Alcohol and drugs
• Head injury
• **Metabolic disorders
• diabtes,renal**
• Neurological
• Psychiatric illness
• Stress response

Question 2

How do you manage a disruptive situation?

Answer 2

1. Protect Self and Others
2. Be prepared to spend extra time
3. Have a plan of action
4. Reduce distractions
5. Take Charge - Be Confident
6. Do Not get too close
7. Avoid Fighting
8. Summon law enforcement prn

Question 3

What actions should you avoid toward your patients?

Answer 3

1. Diagnosing
2. Judging
3. labeling
4. Expressing accusations and anger

Question 4

How do you get consent for patients who are not mentally competent? Are psychiatirc situations clear cut?

Answer 4

1. Consent is implied for patients who are mentally incompetent
2. No, psychiatric emergencies are never clear cut
   -request law enforcement if unsure

Question 5

When should restraints be used? How much force should be used? Should law enforcement be involved?

Answer 5

1. Use only in emergency
   - try to transport without restraints if possible
2. If restraints are neccessary, only use reasonable force
3. Yes, law personnel should be present

Question 6

What is the greatist factor in suicide? Is intervention necessary? Are there signs?

Answer 6

1. Depression
2. Immediate intervention is necessary as attempted suicide is a cry for help
3. Patients will usually exhibit warning signs

Question 7

How should you deal with suicidal patients?

Answer 7

1. Protect self and others
2. Do not leave patient alone
3. Question patient regarding their feelings and prior attempts
4. Ask open questions
5. Keep direct eye contact
6. If injured or OD than treat appropriately
7. Suicidal ideations = incompetence
   - I think implied consent?

Question 8

When handling a violent patient, how do you assess the level of danger?

Answer 8

Use a list of risk factors:

• *-past history
• posture
• scene
• vocal activity
• physical activity**

Question 9

Book

Question 10

What is a behavioral crisis? Psychiatric disorder? Psychiatric emergency? Organic brain syndrome? Functional disorder?

Answer 10

1. Behavioral crisis: an reaction to events that interferes with the activites of daily living or has become unacceptable tot he patient and those around them.
2. Psychiatric disorder: an illness with psychological or behaviorla symptoms that may result in impaired functioning
3. Psychiatric emergency: a patient may show violence, agitation, or may become a threat to themselves or others
4. Organic brain syndrome: a temporary or permanent dysfunction of the braincaused by disturbance in the physcial or phsyiological functioning of the brain tissue
5. Functional disorder: something has gone wrong, but the root cause is unknown. (shizophrenia)

Question 11

What is psychosis? Agitated delirium?

Answer 11

1. Psychosis: a state of delusion in which the person is out of touch with reality
2. Agitated delirium: impariment of cognitive function tjhat can present with disorientation, hallucinations, or delusions