Investigations

Safety for all is of paramount concern. In some situations, this will call for someone to restrain the patient and/or restrain in order to obtain the following:

1. Background information is helpful and may have to be obtained from a variety of sources, e.g. hospital records, GP, family and friends
2. History of drug use – both prescribed and illicit information should be sought
3. Vital signs and blood glucose level are important for all patients to help identify any underlying medical causes

Where excited delirium is suspected, the analysis of blood gases is indicated, following the safe management of the patient’s behavior.

Further investigation should depend upon the information obtained during initial assessment and observation