Stabilization and Management of the Acutely Agitated or Psychotic Patient.
Acutely agitated or psychotic patients are particularly challenging to manage in the emergency department. Often these patients present with little or no history, and an adequate assessment may initially be difficult because of the condition of the patient. This article discusses basic concepts regarding agitation, and the related management goals and strategies.
Section of Emergency Medicine, Emergency Center, Ben Taub General Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, 1504 Taub Loop, Room EC 61, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Nathan
N
Deal
Section of Emergency Medicine, Emergency Center, Ben Taub General Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, 1504 Taub Loop, Room EC 61, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: Michelle.Chan@bcm.edu.
Michelle
M
Hong
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neuropsychiatric Center, Ben Taub General Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, 1502 Taub Loop, Room 2.126, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Anu
A
Matorin
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neuropsychiatric Center, Ben Taub General Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, 1502 Taub Loop, Room 2.125, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Asim A
AA
Shah
D000208:Acute Disease; D019468:Disease Management; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000628:therapy*
Agitation; Antipsychotics; Benzodiazepines; Psychomotor agitation; Psychosis