Questions and Answers
What is organic brain syndrome?
A dysfunction of the brain caused by abnormal physical or physiological function.
People at a higher risk for suicide include all of the following, EXCEPT:
What is the first step in assessing a patient with a behavioral emergency?
Ensure your safety.
What is the single most significant factor that contributes to suicide?
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When assessing a patient with a behavioral crisis, what should you do?
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Which of the following conditions or factors would be the LEAST likely to result in a change in behavior?
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Which of the following conditions or situations would MOST likely make excited delirium worse?
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What is a correct statement regarding the physical examination of a patient with a behavioral problem?
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What finding would be MOST suggestive of dysfunction of a patient’s central nervous system?
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Which of the following are types of psychological disorders? (Select all that apply)
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Most people with a mental illness have another ________________ __________________.
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What should you always assume about mental health patients?
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What is defined as activities of daily living?
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What is altered mental status defined as?
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How is behavior defined?
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What is a behavioral crisis defined as?
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What is depression defined as?
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What is excited delirium defined as?
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What other names is excited delirium known by?
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What is a functional disorder defined as?
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What is organic brain syndrome defined as?
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What is positional asphyxia defined as?
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What is posttraumatic stress disorder defined as?
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What is a psychiatric disorder defined as?
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What is a psychiatric emergency defined as?
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What is psychosis defined as?
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What is schizophrenia defined as?
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What is the MOST appropriate way to manage the situation for a 38-year-old male with schizophrenia who is screaming and throwing things?
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What should you do for a 40-year-old male with a wrist injury after losing his job?
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A behavioral crisis interferes with which of the following?
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When does a general impression of the patient typically form for an EMT?
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Everyone exhibits some signs and symptoms of mental illness at some point in life __________.
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From a mental health standpoint, an abnormal or disturbing pattern of behavior is a matter of concern if it lasts for at least:
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Signs of excited delirium include:
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The two basic categories of diagnosis a physician will use for behavioral crises or psychiatric emergencies are __________.
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What is the most common misconception surrounding mental illness?
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When a psychiatric emergency arises, a patient is most likely to exhibit which of the following behaviors?
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When caring for a patient experiencing excited delirium, what should the EMT remember?
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Which of the following is a good guideline for physical examination of any patient?
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Which of the following is an example of a psychiatric emergency?
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Which of the following is considered an organic brain syndrome?
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Which term applies to a state of delusion in which the patient is out of touch with reality?
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Why might EMTs encounter a larger proportion of violent patients than the population at large?
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How should you manage a 45-year-old female who has frequent thoughts of suicide?
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What is the most appropriate question to ask regarding a 32-year-old male patient with a history of combat-related nightmares?
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Which of the following findings is LEAST predictive of a patient's potential for violence in a domestic dispute?
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For patients with clinical depression, care is most often provided by:
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A 24-year-old male patient who is delusional was found to have progressive hallucinations. What is he most likely suffering from?
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In which position should you restrain a physically uncooperative patient?
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How should you assess a very agitated patient experiencing hallucinations after being subdued by a Taser?
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What is the MOST important for the EMT to remember about suicidal patients?
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Common causes of acute psychotic behavior include all of the following, EXCEPT:
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What should you do when a 78-year-old female with acute behavioral change presents?
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When assessing a patient displaying bizarre behavior, what should the EMT consider?
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The term 'behavioral crisis' is MOST accurately defined as:
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Any attempt to physically restrain a patient should involve __________.
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When responding to a psychiatric emergency, it is recommended that the EMT obtain vital signs __________.
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What should the EMT determine regarding the chief complaint of a psychiatric emergency?
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Which of the following considerations is the most important for the EMT during the scene size-up step of managing a psychiatric emergency?
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Which of the following is an example of a psychiatric disorder?
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A disorder where the abnormal operation of an organ cannot be traced to an obvious change in the structure or physiology of the organ system is called __________.
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A chronic feeling of sadness or despair is defined as:
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A person's response to their environment is defined as:
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Patients with mental health disorders are often __________.
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Which of the following might help the EMT differentiate between 'normal' depression and mental illness?
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During a psychiatric emergency, the EMT should be able to __________.
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What is positional asphyxia?
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What is behavior?
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What should you do for a 22-year-old male patient who attempted to kill himself?
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What should you ask the daughter of a 66-year-old male with bizarre behavior?
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What is a functional disorder?
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How should you manage a patient with a history of schizophrenia and violent threats?
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What is reflective listening?
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What are general guidelines for managing a patient with a behavioral emergency?
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What should you do immediately after physically restraining a violent patient?
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What is the EMT's responsibility when caring for a patient with a behavioral emergency?
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What differentiates a behavioral crisis from a psychiatric emergency?
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Study Notes
Psychiatric Emergencies
- Patients may exhibit bizarre behavior, which can indicate serious psychiatric conditions or crises.
- Identifying a patient's mental state involves assessing immediate threats to themselves or others.
- General guidelines include ensuring EMT safety first when responding to psychiatric emergencies.
Behavioral Crises
- Define as reactions disrupting daily activities or socially unacceptable behavior.
- It is crucial to determine if the behavior results from psychological conditions or external factors such as substance use.
Characteristics of Mental Illness
- Signs can include hallucinations, delusions, and significant mood changes.
- Most people exhibit signs of mental illness temporarily, but this does not equate to a mental diagnosis.
Managing Behavioral Cues
- Immediate management should prioritize communication and trust-building rather than force unless absolutely necessary.
- Mental health assessments should include understanding prior behaviors and determining specific risk factors such as suicidal thoughts or plans.
Risk Factors and Misconceptions
- Misconceptions include beliefs that anyone feeling depressed is mentally ill or that all mentally ill individuals are violent.
- Those at higher risk of suicide often include individuals with depression, showcasing the importance of monitoring mood changes closely.
Physical Examination Insights
- Careful evaluation of patients with behavioral concerns can reveal vital signs like facial expressions and respiratory changes that reflect their emotional state.
Restraint and Transport Guidelines
- When restraining patients, it is crucial to ensure their position does not restrict breathing, opting for lateral decubitus posture.
- Continuous reassessment of patients' condition is necessary after any restraint.
Mental Health Disorders
- Types of psychological disorders include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, OCD, and major depression.
- Awareness of dual diagnoses is paramount; many patients with mental health issues also face additional mental challenges.
Importance of Psychological Insight
- Reflective listening is a key technique to understand patients better and guide them through their thought processes.
- It is vital to consider potential underlying medical causes when assessing behavioral changes.
Crisis Management Techniques
- Maintaining a calm demeanor and being direct in communication fosters a better environment for the patient.
- Always approach situations with a risk assessment mindset, weighing potential violence or self-harm against de-escalation techniques.
Professional Support Systems
- Psychologists are often the first line of support for individuals experiencing clinical depression.
- EMTs should be aware of community resources available for continued patient care post-crisis.
Specific Assessment Techniques
- Evaluate vital signs if it won’t exacerbate patient distress, keeping monitoring flexible and responsive to the patient's demeanor.
- Engage families and bystanders for additional history which can provide context to the current situation.
Common Emergencies and Responses
- Common causes of acute psychotic behavior can include high levels of stress, substance abuse, and medical conditions.
- Proper response and transport protocols are crucial in managing patients experiencing a psychiatric emergency effectively.
Potential Complications
- Sudden deterioration of a patient may indicate a medical emergency, necessitating immediate attention to vital signs and mental status.
- Mental health emergencies can escalate quickly, requiring quick decisions and effective communication with law enforcement when necessary.### Activities of Daily Living
- Refers to basic tasks individuals perform daily for self-care and independence.
Altered Mental Status
- Indicates a change in cognition and behavior suggesting potential central nervous system disease or other bodily issues.
Behavior
- Describes a person's actions or functioning in relation to their environment.
Behavioral Crisis
- Occurs when someone's reactions begin to disrupt daily living; escalates to a psychiatric emergency if it leads to significant life interruption.
Depression
- Characterized by a lasting state of sadness, despair, and discouragement.
Excited Delirium
- A severe behavioral condition featuring agitation, disorientation, hallucinations, or delusions.
Other Names for Excited Delirium
- Also known as agitated delirium or exhaustive mania.
Functional Disorder
- A type of disorder lacking a clear physiological cause for abnormal organ or system functioning.
Organic Brain Syndrome
- Involves temporary or lasting dysfunction of brain activity.
Positional Asphyxia
- Results from restricted chest wall movement or airway obstruction.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- A delayed reaction to trauma, manifesting after experiences involving physical harm or threats.
Psychiatric Disorder
- An illness presenting psychological or behavioral symptoms, potentially caused by social, psychological, genetic, physical, chemical, or biological factors.
Psychiatric Emergency
- A situation where abnormal behavior poses risks to the individual's or others' health and safety.
Psychosis
- Defined by a mental disorder where there is a disconnection from reality.
Schizophrenia
- A complex mental disorder usually emerging in early adulthood, with hallmark symptoms including delusions, hallucinations, disinterest in pleasure, and erratic speech.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards based on Chapter 22 of Psychiatry. This chapter focuses on case studies involving schizophrenia and related psychiatric emergencies. Prepare to identify symptoms, interventions, and appropriate responses in crisis situations.