Podcast
Questions and Answers
During a psychiatric emergency, the EMT should be able to ____________.
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?
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 ____________.
Patients with mental health disorders are often ____________.
misunderstood
A person's response to their environment is defined as ____________.
A person's response to their environment is defined as ____________.
A chronic feeling of sadness or despair is defined as:
A chronic feeling of sadness or despair is defined as:
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 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 ____________.
Which of the following is an example of a psychiatric disorder?
Which of the following is an example of a psychiatric disorder?
Which consideration is most important for the EMT during the scene size-up step of managing a psychiatric emergency?
Which consideration is most important for the EMT during the scene size-up step of managing a psychiatric emergency?
When investigating the chief complaint of a psychiatric emergency, the EMT should attempt to determine which of the following?
When investigating the chief complaint of a psychiatric emergency, the EMT should attempt to determine which of the following?
When responding to a psychiatric emergency, it is recommended that the EMT obtain vital signs ____________.
When responding to a psychiatric emergency, it is recommended that the EMT obtain vital signs ____________.
Any attempt to physically restrain a patient should involve ____________.
Any attempt to physically restrain a patient should involve ____________.
The term 'behavioral crisis' is MOST accurately defined as:
The term 'behavioral crisis' is MOST accurately defined as:
When assessing a patient who is displaying bizarre behavior, the EMT should:
When assessing a patient who is displaying bizarre behavior, the EMT should:
What should you do if a 78-year-old female presents with an acute change in her behavior?
What should you do if a 78-year-old female presents with an acute change in her behavior?
Common causes of acute psychotic behavior include all of the following, EXCEPT:
Common causes of acute psychotic behavior include all of the following, EXCEPT:
It is MOST important for the EMT to remember that suicidal patients may:
It is MOST important for the EMT to remember that suicidal patients may:
When assessing a patient experiencing apparent hallucinations, the EMT should:
When assessing a patient experiencing apparent hallucinations, the EMT should:
In which position should you restrain a physically uncooperative patient?
In which position should you restrain a physically uncooperative patient?
Based on the patient's communication patterns, if a 24-year-old male patient is delusional, he is most likely suffering from:
Based on the patient's communication patterns, if a 24-year-old male patient is delusional, he is most likely suffering from:
The mental health care system in the United States functions on several levels. For patients with clinical depression, care is most often provided by:
The mental health care system in the United States functions on several levels. For patients with clinical depression, care is most often provided by:
How should you manage a situation where a 38-year-old male with schizophrenia is screaming and throwing things?
How should you manage a situation where a 38-year-old male with schizophrenia is screaming and throwing things?
If a 40-year-old male intentionally cut his wrist out of anger, what should you do?
If a 40-year-old male intentionally cut his wrist out of anger, what should you do?
A behavioral crisis interferes with which of the following?
A behavioral crisis interferes with which of the following?
A general impression of the patient is formed by an EMT:
A general impression of the patient is formed by an EMT:
Everyone exhibits some signs and symptoms of mental illness at some point in life ____________.
Everyone exhibits some signs and symptoms of mental illness at some point in life ____________.
From a mental health standpoint, an abnormal or disturbing pattern of behavior is a matter of concern if it lasts for at least:
From a mental health standpoint, an abnormal or disturbing pattern of behavior is a matter of concern if it lasts for at least:
Signs of excited delirium include:
Signs of excited delirium include:
The two basic categories of diagnosis that a physician will use for behavioral crises or psychiatric emergencies are ____________.
The two basic categories of diagnosis that a physician will use for behavioral crises or psychiatric emergencies are ____________.
What is the most common misconception surrounding mental illness?
What is the most common misconception surrounding mental illness?
When a psychiatric emergency arises, a patient is most likely to exhibit which of the following behaviors?
When a psychiatric emergency arises, a patient is most likely to exhibit which of the following behaviors?
When caring for a patient experiencing excited delirium, the EMT should remember that:
When caring for a patient experiencing excited delirium, the EMT should remember that:
Which of the following is a good guideline for physical examination of any patient?
Which of the following is a good guideline for physical examination of any patient?
Which of the following is an example of a psychiatric emergency?
Which of the following is an example of a psychiatric emergency?
Which of the following is considered an organic brain syndrome?
Which of the following is considered an organic brain syndrome?
Which of the following terms applies to a state of delusion in which the patient is out of touch with reality?
Which of the following terms applies to a state of delusion in which the patient is out of touch with reality?
Why might EMTs encounter a larger proportion of violent patients than the population at large?
Why might EMTs encounter a larger proportion of violent patients than the population at large?
How should you manage a patient expressing suicidal thoughts who is unsure about going through with it?
How should you manage a patient expressing suicidal thoughts who is unsure about going through with it?
How should you respond to a 27-year-old patient with a history of depression who refuses hospital treatment?
How should you respond to a 27-year-old patient with a history of depression who refuses hospital treatment?
What is an appropriate question to ask a patient regarding their experiences in Afghanistan?
What is an appropriate question to ask a patient regarding their experiences in Afghanistan?
Which of the following findings is LEAST predictive of a patient's potential for violence?
Which of the following findings is LEAST predictive of a patient's potential for violence?
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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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