If you are working on a medical-surgical unit and your hospital ...

[ashley]

If you are working on a medical-surgical unit and your hospital has limited psychiatric services, what can you do if your medicalsurgical patients are having psychiatric problems, such as depression or anxiety?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Ms. P, a 25-year-old woman, comes to the emergency department for lower abdominal pain and light vaginal bleeding with fatigue, nausea, and breast tenderness. She reports a history of endometriosis.
 
  Which question will help you to identify a possible lifethreatening condition for this patient?
 
  A. Have you been running a high fever?
  B. When was your last menstrual period?
  C. Have you ever experienced this pain before?
  D. Are you being treated for endometriosis?

[yeungji]

Answer to Question 1

Important Points:  Use your assessment skills to determine if the depression or anxiety will create a risk for harm to self or others.  If harm is possible, act to ensure safety.  In extreme cases, restraints may need to be ordered.  Use active listening and determine if the patient has resources and coping skills to overcome problems. Call on resources such as other nurses, social services, physicians, and family as needed.  Ultimately, the physician can write an order for the patient to be transferred to a psychiatric facility if needed or referred to a psychiatrist for outpatient treatment.

Answer to Question 2

B