This document discusses the assessment and care of patients experiencing behavioral emergencies. It outlines several causes of behavioral changes including medical conditions, substances, and psychological crises. When assessing a patient, EMTs should evaluate their mental status, speech, orientation, and risk of violence. Care involves maintaining distance, encouraging talking, and avoiding threats or arguments. Restraints may be needed if the patient is a danger, and should be done quickly with adequate help while avoiding positional asphyxia. Suicide risk factors and signs are also outlined.

1. Chapter Behavioral Emergencies Nineteen

3. Behavioral Emergency A situation in which the patient exhibits behavior that is unacceptable or intolerable to the patient, family, or community Behavior The manner in which a person acts K EY TERMS

19. Death of a restrained patient — possibly due to respiratory problems caused by restraint Positional Asphyxia K EY TERM

27. Assessment and care of the behavioral emergency patient require a high level of caution. Experienced EMT-Bs know that anything can happen at any time. Newly certified EMT-Bs should be reminded to maintain a safe distance when managing all behavioral emergency patients. Tell them that management of the behavioral emergency takes a while, and as an EMT-B, they must be prepared to spend time with the patient. Encourage them to remember that these types of calls require that they become “patient with the patient.” P RECEPTOR P EARL

28. 1. List several causes for behavioral change. 2. Describe several verbal and physical methods for assessment of a behavioral emergency. 3. Explain how to safely apply a restraint. R EVIEW QUESTIONS