Psychiatric Emergencies Chapter 22 Take one Exam 2025

What is organic brain syndrome? - Correct Ans-- structural/physical - temporary or permanent dysfunction of the brain, caused by a disturbance in the physical or physiologic functioning of brain tissue. What is functional brain syndrome? - Correct Ans-- psychologic - a disorder in which there is no known physiologic reason for the abnormal functioning of an organ or organ system. Schizophrenia is an example of a(n) ________ disorder. - Environmental - Functional - Organic brain - Stress - Correct Ans- When restraining a patient, which of the following are true? - Use the minimum force that is necessary to control a patient. - Physically uncooperative patients should be restrained with the 6-point restraint system. - Phenylcyclohexylpiperidine is used by ALS as a medical restraint. - EMS protocols should avoid the use of hard restraints. - Correct Ans-When restraining a patient, which of the following are true? *- Use the minimum force that is necessary to control a patient.* - Physically uncooperative patients should be restrained with the 6-point restraint system. - Phenylcyclohexylpiperidine is used by ALS as a medical restraint. *- EMS protocols should avoid the use of hard restraints.* What should the EMT do immediately after physically restraining a violent patient? - Inform medical control of the situation. - Advise the patient why restraint was needed. - Reassess the patient's airway and breathing. - Document the time the restraints were applied. - Correct Ans-What should the EMT do immediately after physically restraining a violent patient? - Inform medical control of the situation. - Advise the patient why restraint was needed. *- Reassess the patient's airway and breathing.* - Document the time the restraints were applied. Where should you position yourself when beginning the primary assessment of a patient displaying a psychiatric issue? Psychiatric Psychiatric - At a distance - At the patient's dominant side - At the patient's nondominant side - Directly in front of the patient - Correct Ans- Where should you position yourself when beginning the primary assessment of a patient displaying a psychiatric issue? *- At a distance* - At the patient's dominant side - At the patient's nondominant side - Directly in front of the patient When assessing a patient with a behavioral issue, you need to ask questions about three contributors: proper CNS functioning, whether the patient took hallucinogenic or other drugs or alcohol, and what else? - Coping mechanisms - Family history of psychotic disorders - Personal history of physical trauma - Significant life changes - Correct Ans-When assessing a patient with a behavioral issue, you need to ask questions about three contributors: proper CNS functioning, whether the patient took hallucinogenic or other drugs or alcohol, and what else? - Coping mechanisms - Family history of psychotic disorders - Personal history of physical trauma *- Significant life changes* Why should a patient not be transported in a prone position with his/her hands tied behind the back? - It is easier for the patient to bite you from this position. - Positional asphyxia could occur. - The restraints can cause circulatory problems in the wrists and ankles. - It is embarrassing for the patient and therefore contraindicated. - Correct Ans-Why should a patient not be transported in a prone position with his/her hands tied behind the back? - It is easier for the patient to bite you from this position. *- Positional asphyxia could occur.* - The restraints can cause circulatory problems in the wrists and ankles. - It is embarrassing for the patient and therefore contraindicated. What is the most common misconception surrounding mental illness? - All persons with mental disorders are physically violent and dangerous. - Many mental illnesses stem from drug or alcohol abuse. - Everyone has some form of mental illness. - Feeling "bad" or "depressed" means that you must be "sick." - Correct Ans- Which of the following is a sign or symptom of PTSD? - Bradycardia Psychiatric Psychiatric - Cyanosis - Hypervigilance - Lack of emotion - Correct Ans-Which of the following is a sign or symptom of PTSD? - Bradycardia - Cyanosis *- Hypervigilance* - Lack of emotion How is a behavioral crisis defined? - Any reaction to events that interferes with the activities of daily living - A violent act intended to inflict harm - A condition in which a person exhibits agitated behavior combined with disorientation, hallucinations, or delusions - A mental disorder characterized by the loss of contact with reality - Correct Ans-How is a behavioral crisis defined? *- Any reaction to events that interferes with the activities of daily living* - A violent act intended to inflict harm - A condition in which a person exhibits agitated behavior combined with disorientation, hallucinations, or delusions - A mental disorder characterized by the loss of contact with reality Which of the following behavioral crises is most likely to lead to suicide? - Depression - Excited delirium - Psychosis - PTSD - Correct Ans- Which of the following behavioral crises is most likely to lead to suicide? *- Depression* - Excited delirium - Psychosis - PTSD Which of the following statements is true regarding the returning combat veteran? - Guilt, shame, paranoia, and hostility are rare in combat veterans. - Physical restraints are an important tool to calm the veteran with PTSD. - Suicide is rare in this population. - Diesel fumes can trigger PTSD in combat veterans. - Correct Ans- Which of the following statements is true regarding the returning combat veteran? - Guilt, shame, paranoia, and hostility are rare in combat veterans. - Physical restraints are an important tool to calm the veteran with PTSD. - Suicide is rare in this population. *- Diesel fumes can trigger PTSD in combat veterans.* As an EMT, what is your main goal in a psychiatric emergency? - Identifying the underlying cause of the behavioral emergency - Defusing/controlling the situation and providing transport Psychiatric Psychiatric - Referring the patient to appropriate mental health resources - Showing empathy - Correct Ans-As an EMT, what is your main goal in a psychiatric emergency? - Identifying the underlying cause of the behavioral emergency *- Defusing/controlling the situation and providing transport* - Referring the patient to appropriate mental health resources - Showing empathy A patient with which of the following conditions is likely to have a flashback? - Depression - Excited delirium - PTSD - Schizophrenia - Correct Ans- A patient with which of the following conditions is likely to have a flashback? - Depression - Excited delirium *- PTSD* - Schizophrenia 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. - EMTs have to restrain patients. - EMTs respond with law enforcement. - It is a common misperception; EMTs do NOT encounter a larger proportion of violent patients than the population at large. - Correct Ans-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.* - EMTs have to restrain patients. - EMTs respond with law enforcement. - It is a common misperception; EMTs do NOT encounter a larger proportion of violent patients than the population at large. Everyone exhibits some signs and symptoms of mental illness at some point in life ____________. - because mental illness affects everyone - but that does not mean a person is mentally ill - and should be physically restrained for their own safety and the safety of the EMT - and needs medication administered to control them - Correct Ans-Everyone exhibits some signs and symptoms of mental illness at some point in life ____________. - because mental illness affects everyone *- but that does not mean a person is mentally ill* - and should be physically restrained for their own safety and the safety of the EMT - and needs medication administered to control them A behavioral crisis interferes with which of the following? Psychiatric Psychiatric - Activities of daily living - Behavior that is acceptable to the community - Dressing, eating, or bathing - All of these answers are correct. - Correct Ans- A behavioral crisis interferes with which of the following? - Activities of daily living - Behavior that is acceptable to the community - Dressing, eating, or bathing *- All of these answers are correct.* Which of the following is an example of a psychiatric emergency? - A person violently attacking family members - A person who is experiencing a panic attack - A person going on a week-long "bender" after losing a job - A person who is depressed and no longer caring for himself - Correct Ans- Which of the following is an example of a psychiatric emergency? *- A person violently attacking family members* - A person who is experiencing a panic attack - A person going on a week-long "bender" after losing a job - A person who is depressed and no longer caring for himself 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 - Any behaviors unacceptable to the patient, family, or community - Visual or auditory hallucinations - Disruptions to activities of daily living - Correct Ans- 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* - Any behaviors unacceptable to the patient, family, or community - Visual or auditory hallucinations - Disruptions to activities of daily living The two basic categories of diagnosis that a physician will use for behavioral crises or psychiatric emergencies are ____________. - organic brain syndrome and altered mental status - functional and nonfunctional - physical and psychological - All of these answers are correct. - Correct Ans The two basic categories of diagnosis that a physician will use for behavioral crises or psychiatric emergencies are ____________. - organic brain syndrome and altered mental status - functional and nonfunctional *- physical and psychological* - All of these answers are correct. Psychiatric Psychiatric Which of the following is considered an organic brain syndrome? - Anxiety conditions - Alzheimer dementia - Schizophrenia - Depression - Correct Ans-Which of the following is considered an organic brain syndrome? - Anxiety conditions *- Alzheimer dementia* - Schizophrenia - Depression Which of the following is a good guideline for physical examination of any patient? - Examine extremities first. - Avoid touching without permission. - Always work toe-to-head. - Complete the physical exam first, then check the ABCs. - Correct Ans-Which of the following is a good guideline for physical examination of any patient? - Examine extremities first. *- Avoid touching without permission.* - Always work toe-to-head. - Complete the physical exam first, then check the ABCs. A general impression of the patient is formed by an EMT: - at a distance when the patient is first seen. - speaking privately with the patient. - speaking with family members or bystanders first. - when the patient is in the ambulance. - Correct Ans-A general impression of the patient is formed by an EMT: *- at a distance when the patient is first seen.* - speaking privately with the patient. - speaking with family members or bystanders first. - when the patient is in the ambulance. Which of the following terms applies to a state of delusion in which the patient is out of touch with reality? - Schizophrenia - Agitated delirium - Suicidal - Psychosis - Correct Ans-Which of the following terms applies to a state of delusion in Which the patient is out of touch with reality? - Schizophrenia - Agitated delirium - Suicidal *- Psychosis* Psychiatric Psychiatric A 40-year-old male intentionally cut his wrist out of anger after losing his job. Law enforcement has secured the scene prior to your arrival. As you enter the residence and visualize the patient, you can see that he has a towel around his wrist and a moderate amount of blood has soaked through it. You should: - calmly identify yourself to the patient. - quickly tend to the bleeding wound. - approach the patient with caution. - tell the patient that you want to help. - Correct Ans-A 40-year-old male intentionally cut his wrist out of anger after losing his job. Law enforcement has secured the scene prior to your arrival. As you enter the residence and visualize the patient, you can see that he has a towel around his wrist and a moderate amount of blood has soaked through it. You should: - calmly identify yourself to the patient.* - quickly tend to the bleeding wound. - approach the patient with caution. - tell the patient that you want to help. You are assessing a 45-year-old female who is severely depressed. She states that it seems as though her entire world is crashing down around her. She further states that she has had frequent thoughts of suicide, but is not sure if she can actually go through with it. How should you manage this situation? - Ask the patient if she has developed a suicidal plan. - Have law enforcement place her in protective custody. - Encourage the patient to remain quiet during transport. - Leave the scene and have a neighbor check in on her. - Correct An