Medical Evaluation of the Behavioral Health Emergency Patient

Marylou Killian, Walden University
Anna Valdez, Walden University

Abstract

J. Doe, a 64-year-old woman, was brought in by police for a psychiatric evaluation after she was found walking toward the middle of a lake at a local park. When questioned, she stated, “They say I have to save my son; my husband is going to kill him.” Upon further questioning, the patient said she was told to come to the park to meet her son and she could not find him. Medical records revealed that she had hypertension and multiple previous hospitalizations for agitated depression. The most recent medication list available included furosemide, paroxetine, quetiapine, and ranitidine (over the counter) for indigestion.