Question

We are studying Mental Illnesses this week and I am stuck!!

The emergency medical services (EMS) team has brought a 54­-year-old female patient to the emergency department where you are working. The EMS personnel state that the patient was found wandering in a nearby park by a jogger, who called 911 from her cell phone after the woman screamed obscenities at her and then fell, seriously scraping her arm and face. The woman is bleeding, disoriented, combative, and accusing the EMS team of stealing her purse. Her hands are shaking severely, and she is shouting at the doctors and nurses that she needs a bottle. The woman’s clothing is dirty, and you can smell stale body odor and urine.

Critical thinking Questions

1. Based on your first impressions of this patient’s actions and appearance, what do you suspect she is suffering from?

2. What short­ and long-term health risks would you suspect this patient faces?

3. Why do you think the patient’s hands are shaking, and what do you think causes her confusion and combativeness?

4. What assessments do you think are needed for this patient?

Answer 1

Answer 1. The possibility of a mental disorder is observed in this patient. Her actions were loud and irrelevant to the situation and she was in correct state of mind. She seemed to be under the influence of any drug or alcohol (substance abuse) as she was screaming for a bottle. Her mental state of mind was disturbed.

Answer 2. Under such circumstances there are many risks involved that can cause harms to the patient. These risks could be short term like:-

. Risks for getting urinary infections or skin problems due to improper ways of living.

. Starvation issues, as such people don't get any money for food. They spend everything on their drugs.

. Personal issues with hygiene and personal care, because such people are not aware of self care.

The long term risks imvlove :-

. Permanent involvement in drug abuse, alcoholism, etc.

. Depression or anxiety disorders.

Answer 3. Her hands were shaking because she might be in need of that drug at that time as its deficiency affects the  musculoskeletal system. Thus, it made her weak, and less energetic. She also might be starving for food.

Answer 4. The assessments required for her should include :-

. Mental checkup--she should be observed or checked for state of mind because her actions were weired.

. Physical checkup-- her physical checkup should also be done to check for any kind of bruises or bodily marks, etc that could come with some suggestion in her treatment.

. Clinical test-- the complete blood test, urine tests, x Ray, liver test, and sugar test should be done for proper analysis of the patient.