Critical Decisions in Emergency Medicine: Management of the Acutely Agitated Patient and Metabolic Acidosis
Critical Decisions in Emergency Medicine: Management of the Acutely Agitated Patient and Metabolic Acidosis is organized by American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).
Start Date: 9/5/23
Expires Date: 8/31/26
Overview:
Management of the Acutely Agitated Patient:
Acute agitation is a common presentation in the emergency department. Obtaining a history and physical examination in these circumstances is difficult, making the many possible etiologies of the agitation challenging to discern. Because agitated patients can endanger themselves and others, acute intervention is often required, and emergency physicians must be well versed in various techniques to protect all parties involved.
Metabolic Acidosis:
Metabolic acidosis is common in acutely ill patients and has many potential causes. Treatment should be timely because the condition can lead to shock and respiratory failure. Further complicating matters, its potential presentations are numerous. Determining the cause of metabolic acidosis is the priority because treatment depends on the etiology and is integral to the successful management of these critically ill patients.
Description
Objectives:
Management of the Acutely Agitated Patient:
• Recognize and quickly assess agitated patients.
• Employ effective techniques to verbally de-escalate situations with agitated patients.
• Compare the different medication options for treating agitated patients.
• Describe the indications for and risks associated with physical restraint.
• Determine which agitated patients should be admitted and which can be safely discharged.
Metabolic Acidosis:
• Recognize what constitutes metabolic acidosis.
• Identify the underlying causes of an acidotic state.
• Describe the process for evaluating mixed acid-base disturbances.
• State the indications for and limitations of sodium bicarbonate therapy.
• Discuss the management of toxic alcohol exposure.