Your patient is a 45-year-old male with a history of bipolar…
Your patient is a 45-year-old male with a history of bipolar disorder. He is sitting at the kitchen table, conscious, alert, and oriented. He is pleasant and greets you as you walk in. The patient’s wife called EMS because he has refused to take his lithium and is “driving her crazy with his hyperactive attitude.” She insists that you transport him to the hospital. The patient admits to voluntary noncompliance with his lithium, stating, “I didn’t like the way it made me feel.” He denies any suicidal thoughts and states that he has not felt “this good for a long time.” He is curious about your job and wants to know how he could get into a paramedic class. He states that he’s also thinking about going to law school but wants to finish his Ph.D. first. The physical examination is unremarkable. HR = 82, BP = 122/80, RR = 10, SaO 2 = 99%. He says, “See, I told you I’m fine. I don’t need to go to the hospital.” Which of the following is the best course of action?
Read DetailsYour patient is a conscious and alert 22- year- old female w…
Your patient is a conscious and alert 22- year- old female who was stung by a hornet. She states that she has “allergies to bee stings” and has been told that she could die if stung. Your physical examination reveals a 1- cm- diameter, red, edematous area where she was stung on the left forearm. Her skin is warm and dry, and her lung sounds are clear and equal bilaterally. HR = 120 and regular, BP = 122/82, RR = 12 and regular, SaO2 = 98%. The most appropriate treatment for this patient would include:
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