Psychiatric Emergencies Quiz: Suicidal Patients Insights

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Questions and Answers

During a psychiatric emergency, the EMT should be able to ____________.

predict whether the patient will become violent

Which of the following might help the EMT differentiate between 'normal' depression and mental illness?

Family history of mental illness

The amount of time that the patient remains feeling 'blue' (correct)

The patient's age

Frequency of mood swings

Patients with mental health disorders are often ____________.

misunderstood

A person's response to their environment is defined as ____________.

behavior Signup and view all the answers

A chronic feeling of sadness or despair is defined as:

depression Signup and view all the answers

A disorder in which the abnormal operation of an organ cannot be traced to an obvious change in the structure or physiology of the organ system is called ____________.

a functional disorder Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a psychiatric disorder?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Which consideration is most important for the EMT during the scene size-up step of managing a psychiatric emergency?

Do you need to call for law enforcement as additional resources? Signup and view all the answers

When investigating the chief complaint of a psychiatric emergency, the EMT should attempt to determine which of the following?

All of these answers are correct. Signup and view all the answers

When responding to a psychiatric emergency, it is recommended that the EMT obtain vital signs ____________.

only when doing so will not exacerbate the patient's distress Signup and view all the answers

Any attempt to physically restrain a patient should involve ____________.

law enforcement Signup and view all the answers

The term 'behavioral crisis' is MOST accurately defined as:

any reaction that interferes with activities of daily living or is deemed unacceptable by others. Signup and view all the answers

When assessing a patient who is displaying bizarre behavior, the EMT should:

consider that an acute medical illness may be causing the patient's behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if a 78-year-old female presents with an acute change in her behavior?

inquire about the possibility of head trauma. Signup and view all the answers

Common causes of acute psychotic behavior include all of the following, EXCEPT:

Alzheimer disease Signup and view all the answers

It is MOST important for the EMT to remember that suicidal patients may:

be homicidal as well. Signup and view all the answers

When assessing a patient experiencing apparent hallucinations, the EMT should:

limit physical contact with the patient as much as possible and avoid interrupting him if he is attempting to communicate with you. Signup and view all the answers

In which position should you restrain a physically uncooperative patient?

Lateral decubitus Signup and view all the answers

Based on the patient's communication patterns, if a 24-year-old male patient is delusional, he is most likely suffering from:

schizophrenia. Signup and view all the answers

The mental health care system in the United States functions on several levels. For patients with clinical depression, care is most often provided by:

a psychologist. Signup and view all the answers

How should you manage a situation where a 38-year-old male with schizophrenia is screaming and throwing things?

restrain the patient with appropriate force in order to treat his injuries. Signup and view all the answers

If a 40-year-old male intentionally cut his wrist out of anger, what should you do?

calmly identify yourself to the patient. Signup and view all the answers

A behavioral crisis interferes with which of the following?

All of these answers are correct. Signup and view all the answers

A general impression of the patient is formed by an EMT:

at a distance when the patient is first seen. Signup and view all the answers

Everyone exhibits some signs and symptoms of mental illness at some point in life ____________.

but that does not mean a person is mentally ill Signup and view all the answers

From a mental health standpoint, an abnormal or disturbing pattern of behavior is a matter of concern if it lasts for at least:

1 month. Signup and view all the answers

Signs of excited delirium include:

diaphoresis, tachycardia, and hallucinations. Signup and view all the answers

The two basic categories of diagnosis that a physician will use for behavioral crises or psychiatric emergencies are ____________.

physical and psychological Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common misconception surrounding mental illness?

Feeling 'bad' or 'depressed' means that you must be 'sick.' Signup and view all the answers

When a psychiatric emergency arises, a patient is most likely to exhibit which of the following behaviors?

any behaviors that are a violent threat to the patient, EMTs, or others. Signup and view all the answers

When caring for a patient experiencing excited delirium, the EMT should remember that:

sudden death can occur if the patient's violence is not controlled. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a good guideline for physical examination of any patient?

Avoid touching without permission. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a psychiatric emergency?

A person violently attacking family members Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered an organic brain syndrome?

Alzheimer dementia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms applies to a state of delusion in which the patient is out of touch with reality?

psychosis Signup and view all the answers

Why might EMTs encounter a larger proportion of violent patients than the population at large?

EMTs respond to patients who, by definition, are having an emergency. Signup and view all the answers

How should you manage a patient expressing suicidal thoughts who is unsure about going through with it?

Ask the patient if she has developed a suicidal plan. Signup and view all the answers

How should you respond to a 27-year-old patient with a history of depression who refuses hospital treatment?

stay with the patient while you arrange for other transport options as a potentially life-threatening emergency exists. Signup and view all the answers

What is an appropriate question to ask a patient regarding their experiences in Afghanistan?

Were you shot at or under fire? Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following findings is LEAST predictive of a patient's potential for violence?

His large body size Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Psychiatric Emergencies Overview

EMTs must anticipate potential violence during psychiatric emergencies.
Differentiating between normal depression and mental illness can depend on the duration of symptoms.
Patients with mental health disorders often face misunderstanding by others.

Behavior and Mental Health Definitions

Behavior is a person's response to environmental stimuli.
Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness or despair.
Functional disorders show abnormal organ function without identifiable structural changes.

Psychiatric Disorders and Care

Depression is a recognized psychiatric disorder.
During scene size-up, EMTs should determine if law enforcement is needed for safety.
EMTs should investigate underlying issues, such as possible psychogenic factors or substance use, when assessing a psychiatric complaint.

Patient Assessment and Management

Vital signs should be taken if it does not increase patient distress.
Physical restraint of patients requires law enforcement involvement.
A behavioral crisis disrupts daily activities and may be broadly defined as socially unacceptable behavior.

Specific Scenarios and Considerations

Acute changes in behavior may indicate underlying medical issues, such as head trauma.
Suicidal patients may also exhibit homicidal tendencies; care should be taken.
Limit physical contact with agitated patients experiencing hallucinations.

Restraint and Safety

Physically uncooperative patients should be restrained in a lateral decubitus position for safety.
Schizophrenia is characterized by delusions and progressively worsening symptoms over time.

Mental Health System and Support

Psychologists typically provide care for clinical depression.
Individuals displaying acute psychotic behavior may show signs like agitation and hallucinations.

Mental Illness and Misconceptions

A misconception is that feeling depressed equates to being mentally ill.
Abnormal behavior is concerning if persistent for over a month.

Excited Delirium and Patient Behavior

Signs of excited delirium include profuse sweating, rapid heart rate, and hallucinations.
Sudden death can occur during episodes of extreme agitation; intervention to control violence is critical.

Communication and Examination Guidelines

Respect patient autonomy by avoiding physical contact without permission during examinations.
Examples of psychiatric emergencies include violent outbursts and severe depressive episodes.

Organic Brain Syndromes

Conditions such as Alzheimer dementia fall under organic brain syndromes.

PTSD and Behavioral Changes

Military veterans may exhibit withdrawal and nightmares indicating potential PTSD.
Inquiries about life-threatening experiences during deployment can help assess mental health impact.

Key Findings in Potential Violence

A patient's physical size is less predictive of violence compared to their behavior.
Continuous observation and arrangement for safe transport are vital for at-risk patients.

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Description

Test your knowledge on psychiatric emergencies with these flashcards based on Chapter 22. This quiz covers crucial definitions, differentiating normal depression from mental illness, and understanding patient behavior during emergencies. Perfect for EMTs and healthcare professionals.

Psychiatric Emergencies Chapter 22