BASIC PRINCIPLES OF EMERGENCY PSYCHIATRY:
- Nurses handling psychiatric emergencies should keep the following principles in mind:
- The initial approach to a clienvpatient should be warm, direct and concerned.
- A quick evaluation to identify the nature of the condition and to initiate care on the basis of seriousness is essential.
- A comprehensive history helps to understand the anatomy of crisis, the patient's strength and liabilities.
- Psychiatric history should be collected from both the patient and the informant.
- Detailed general, physical and neurological examination of the patient should be done.
- History and clinical findings should be recorded clearly in emergency file.
- Psychiatric evaluation should be modified and tailor made in order to save time in decision making.
- Patient's condition and plan of management should be explained in simple language to the person(s), who have accompanied the patient.