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Managing agitation in the critical care setting
A B Santos1, M M Wohlreich, S T Pinosky
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425.
Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association (1975)
|August 1, 1992
Summary
Managing agitation in intensive care unit (ICU) patients involves assessing causes like delirium, drug reactions, or withdrawal. Intravenous haloperidol, with or without lorazepam, offers a safe pharmacologic approach for agitated ICU patients.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Agitation is a common and complex issue in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.
- Identifying and addressing underlying causes of agitation is crucial before pharmacologic intervention.
- Delirium is a frequent cause of agitation in the ICU, often multifactorial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the preliminary assessment and pharmacologic management strategies for agitated ICU patients.
- To emphasize the importance of addressing correctable abnormalities, drug reactions, withdrawal, and pain.
- To provide a safe and effective pharmacologic approach for controlling agitation.
Main Methods:
- Preliminary assessment of reversible causes of agitation.
- Consideration of drug reactions, withdrawal symptoms, and pain management.
- Utilizing intravenous haloperidol, potentially combined with lorazepam, for pharmacologic control.
Main Results:
- Pharmacologic management of agitation can be safely achieved in the ICU setting.
- Addressing underlying causes is a prerequisite for effective pharmacologic intervention.
- Intravenous haloperidol with or without lorazepam is an effective treatment option.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive assessment is essential for managing agitated ICU patients.
- Pharmacologic agents like haloperidol and lorazepam can be safely administered.
- Effective management of agitation improves patient outcomes in the ICU.