Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

EMT > ch 23 > Flashcards

ch 23 Flashcards

(81 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What is a behavioral crisis

A

Any reaction to events that interferes with activities of daily living or is deemed unacceptable by others

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a psychiatric emergency

A

A situation where a person’s abnormal behavior threatens themselves or others

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are some possible causes of altered behavior

A

Medical conditions trauma substance use psychiatric disorders

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the primary goal when responding to a behavioral health emergency

A

Ensure scene safety and provide compassionate patient care

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What should you always consider first in a behavioral emergency

A

Possible medical causes of altered behavior

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are signs of a potential violent patient

A

Clenched fists tense posture pacing shouting threats

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the best position for transporting an agitated patient

A

Supine or semi-Fowler’s with restraints only if necessary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the definition of psychosis

A

A state of delusion where the person is out of touch with reality

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are common symptoms of schizophrenia

A

Delusions hallucinations lack of emotion disorganized speech

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is important to remember when dealing with psychotic patients

A

Don’t argue with delusions and avoid sudden movements

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is excited delirium

A

A condition involving extreme agitation aggression increased strength and often sudden death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How should excited delirium be managed

A

Ensure safety call for advanced support use calming techniques and avoid sudden restraints

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is a key danger with physical restraint of behavioral patients

A

Positional asphyxia especially in prone position

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What should always be documented with restraint use

A

Reason for restraint type used who authorized it and patient monitoring

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the EMS role in a suicide call

A

Protect yourself provide emotional support and transport for psychiatric evaluation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What are warning signs of suicide risk

A

Hopelessness giving away belongings withdrawal history of attempts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

When should law enforcement be involved in a behavioral health call

A

When there is a threat to the safety of patient or others

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

How should you communicate with a behavioral health patient

A

Calmly clearly respectfully and with open body language

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the first step when arriving at the scene of a behavioral emergency

A

Ensure scene safety for yourself and your team

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is a psychiatric disorder

A

An illness with psychological or behavioral symptoms that impair functioning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

A

A mental condition triggered by a traumatic event causing flashbacks anxiety and emotional numbness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Why is it important to consider medical causes in behavioral patients

A

Medical conditions like hypoglycemia head injury or hypoxia can mimic psychiatric symptoms

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What should you avoid when interacting with a disturbed patient

A

Sudden movements loud speech or judgmental tone

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is schizophrenia

A

A chronic brain disorder causing delusions hallucinations disorganized speech and flat affect

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
How might a person with schizophrenia present
Speaking to themselves seeing things not present disorganized behavior flat or inappropriate emotions
26
What is bipolar disorder
A mental illness marked by extreme mood swings from mania to depression
27
What are signs of a manic episode in bipolar disorder
Increased energy reduced need for sleep rapid speech risky behavior inflated self-esteem
28
What are signs of a depressive episode in bipolar disorder
Sadness hopelessness fatigue sleep disturbance suicidal thoughts
29
What is major depressive disorder
A mood disorder causing persistent sadness loss of interest and impaired functioning
30
How might depression present in a patient
Tearfulness lack of energy withdrawal poor hygiene suicidal ideation
31
What is generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Chronic excessive worry about various aspects of life with physical symptoms
32
How might anxiety present
Restlessness muscle tension difficulty concentrating rapid breathing or heart rate
33
What is panic disorder
Repeated panic attacks involving sudden intense fear and physical symptoms
34
What are common symptoms of a panic attack
Chest pain shortness of breath dizziness fear of dying or losing control
35
What is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
A condition triggered by a traumatic event causing flashbacks nightmares anxiety and avoidance
36
What are signs of PTSD
Hypervigilance sleep issues irritability avoidance of reminders of the trauma
37
What is borderline personality disorder
A mental disorder characterized by unstable moods behavior and relationships
38
How might borderline personality disorder present
Intense emotional reactions impulsivity fear of abandonment self-harming behaviors
39
What is obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
A condition marked by unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors
40
What are signs of OCD
Compulsive rituals like excessive handwashing checking things or repeated counting
41
What is substance-induced psychosis
Psychosis triggered by drug or alcohol use leading to hallucinations or delusions
42
What are key indicators of substance-induced behavioral emergencies
Sudden onset paranoia agitation hallucinations presence of drug paraphernalia
43
What is dementia
A progressive loss of cognitive function affecting memory reasoning and personality
44
How might a patient with dementia present
Confusion memory loss disorientation inappropriate behavior difficulty communicating
45
What is delirium
An acute temporary change in mental status often caused by illness or drugs
46
How does delirium differ from dementia
Delirium has a rapid onset and is reversible while dementia is gradual and progressive
47
What is a somatoform disorder
A condition where psychological stress presents as physical symptoms without a medical cause
48
How might somatoform disorder present in EMS
Chronic pain weakness or other physical symptoms that don’t align with medical findings
49
You arrive to find a woman pacing yelling about voices in her head and refusing to make eye contact What condition might she be experiencing
schizophrenia with auditory hallucinations
50
A young man is sitting silently in a dark room crying and says he’s hopeless and has no reason to live What should you immediately assess for
suicide risk and ideation
51
A patient is hyperactive speaking rapidly not sleeping and believes he has special powers What phase of bipolar disorder is likely
mania
52
You’re called to assist a man who is trembling sweating and hyperventilating and says he feels like he’s dying What is the likely cause
panic attack
53
An elderly woman is found wandering confused doesn’t know the date and accuses you of stealing What condition might this be
dementia or delirium
54
A man who survived a fire becomes agitated when you try to lead him toward flashing lights and loud sounds What might he be experiencing
PTSD trigger reaction
55
You’re called for a disoriented man behaving erratically and threatening others he has a strong odor of alcohol and empty bottles nearby What could be the cause
substance-induced psychosis
56
A woman insists she has a brain tumor despite negative tests and frequent visits to doctors for new physical complaints What condition might this indicate
somatoform disorder or illness anxiety
57
A patient is restrained due to severe agitation suddenly goes quiet and unresponsive What condition must you rule out
positional asphyxia or medical deterioration
58
A man keeps checking if his house is locked over and over and refuses to leave without doing so 20 times What condition might this behavior suggest
obsessive-compulsive disorder
59
You encounter a teen with visible self-harm scars who is crying and says everyone leaves her and no one cares What personality disorder may be indicated
borderline personality disorder
60
A woman displays disorganized speech and believes the news anchor is sending her personal messages What condition might this be
schizophrenia
61
You respond to a man found naked outside screaming and trying to fight responders with incredible strength What syndrome might you suspect
excited delirium
62
A patient is acting paranoid and aggressive and says people are after him you find meth paraphernalia nearby What might be the likely cause
meth-induced psychosis
63
You arrive to a quiet scene where family reports their loved one hasn’t spoken in days is not eating and lies in bed all day What might this indicate
major depressive disorder
64
What is your first priority when approaching a behavioral emergency
Scene safety
65
What should you do before entering a scene involving a potentially violent patient
Wait for law enforcement to secure the scene
66
What body language should you use when interacting with an agitated patient
Calm non-threatening open posture
67
What is the best position to talk to a patient having a mental health crisis
At eye level or lower and at a safe distance
68
What should you avoid doing when a patient is experiencing hallucinations
Challenging or arguing with the hallucination
69
How should you speak to a behavioral health patient
Slowly clearly calmly and with reassurance
70
Why is it important to limit the number of people talking to a behavioral patient
To reduce confusion anxiety and overstimulation
71
What should you always assess in patients with altered mental status
Blood glucose level and possible toxins
72
What should be documented in all behavioral emergencies
Patient’s behavior statements appearance and any interventions used
73
What is one of the most dangerous risks in behavioral emergencies
Suicide or violence toward self or others
74
What must be considered in patients with sudden behavioral changes
Hypoxia hypoglycemia stroke or head injury
75
When should restraints be used in behavioral emergencies
Only when the patient poses a danger to self or others and as a last resort
76
What is the EMS provider’s legal obligation in transporting a suicidal patient
Duty to act even without consent if the patient is a danger to themselves
77
How should a restrained patient be monitored
Continuously with frequent checks of airway circulation mental status and skin
78
What is an important safety rule when restraining a patient
Use enough personnel and restrain all four limbs simultaneously
79
When restraining a patient what position should be avoided
Prone position to prevent positional asphyxia
80
Why is it important to maintain a nonjudgmental attitude during a behavioral call
To build trust and avoid escalating the situation
81
What is a common medical condition that can mimic psychiatric symptoms
Hypoglycemia

EMT (24 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions