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?


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.

Nursing

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Fill in the blank with correct word

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