Chapter 26: Psychiatric Emergencies Practice Flashcards

A set of 10 question-and-answer flashcards based on the Prehospital Emergency Care 12th Ed. Chapter 26 lecture notes on psychiatric emergencies.

What is the definition of a psychiatric disorder?

A condition that significantly impacts an individual’s mood, behavior, cognition, or ability to perform self-care.

Which medical condition is most likely to result in restlessness, confusion, cyanosis, and altered mental status?

A lack of oxygen.

What is the first step an EMT takes in a psychiatric (behavioral) emergency?

Perform a careful scene size-up.

What is the term for a state of painful uneasiness about impending problems?

Anxiety.

Which demographic group has the highest suicide rate?

The elderly.

When caring for a patient who has attempted suicide, what must be the EMT's first concern?

Their own safety.

Who should an EMT contact before restraining any patient for any reason?

Medical direction.

How does the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development define a person who is experiencing homelessness?

A person who, on a given night, is in a shelter or without a shelter.

What is the only major cause of infant and child death to have increased in the past 30 years?

Child abuse.

What are the six clues that a patient’s altered behavior may have a physical cause rather than a mental cause?

Sudden onset of symptoms, memory loss or impairment, pupils dilated, constricted, or unequal in size or responsiveness, excessive salivation, incontinence (loss of bladder or bowel control), and unusual breath odors.