PARA8008 Acute Assessment and Management of Behavioural Disturbance

Critical to the appropriate management of the critically ill patient is the ability of the Intensive Care Paramedic to recognise the clinical presentation, psychological and physiological consequences of clinical situations that can result in a behavioural disturbance. Based on contemporary clinical understanding and best practice, this subject will cover the multifactorial definitions of normal behaviour, the pathophysiological, psychological and psychiatric conditions that can present with a behavioural disturbance and the clinical assessment and management strategies that can be implemented to manage both the cause of and psychological/physiological consequences associated with a behavioural disturbance. This underpinning knowledge is critical to enable appropriate clinical decision making and management when dealing with often complex and interacting pathologies that can result in behavioural disturbance.

This topic aims to develop a high level of understanding of behaviour and the various factors that can result in altered behaviour as related to ICP practice which forms the foundation on which sound clinical judgement and practice are to be based.

1. Explain the concept of normal behaviour
2. Identify and describe the pathophysiological, psychological and psychiatric causes of behavioural disturbance as relevant to ICP practice
3. Identify and describe the influence of pharmacological agents and co-morbidities on behaviour as relevant to ICP practice
4. Identify and describe variations to the physiological and psychological mechanisms that are responsible for behaviour that occur across the life span
5. Demonstrate the appropriate application of ICP clinical procedures and equipment to assess and manage a patient who is experiencing a behavioural disturbance
6. Describe the pharmacology of medications used in ICP clinical practice to manage a patient who is experiencing a behavioural disturbance
7. Describe and demonstrate the appropriate clinical assessment and management of a patient who is experiencing a behavioural disturbance including the management of any underlying pathological cause
8. Demonstrate the ability to form and revise clinical judgements and practice plans when presented with new evidence or information as relevant to ICP practice