We discuss an approach to the acutely agitated patient and review medications commonly used.
Hosts:
Jonathan Kobles, MD
Brian Gilberti, MD



https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Acute_Agitation.mp3



Download


Leave a Comment





Tags: Agitation, psychiatry, Toxicology





Show Notes
Background/Epidemiology
•Definition and Scope: Agitation encompasses behaviors from restlessness to severe altered mental states. It’s a common emergency department presentation, often linked with acute medical or psychiatric emergencies.
•Significance: Patients with agitation are at high risk for morbidity and mortality, necessitating prompt and effective management to prevent harm to themselves and healthcare providers.
A Changing Paradigm in Describing Agitation
•Terminology Shift: Move away from terms like ‘excited delirium’ due to their politicization and stigmatization. Focus on describing agitation by severity and underlying causes.
Agitation as a Multifactorial Process
•Complex Nature: Recognize agitation as a result of various factors, including medical, psychiatric, and environmental influences.
Recognizing Agitation
•Signs and Symptoms: Identify agitation early by monitoring for behaviors such as hostility, pacing, non-compliance, and verbal aggression.
Initial Evaluation
•Severity Assessment: Determine the severity of agitation and prioritize reversible causes and life-threatening condi...