r/nursing • u/strawbqu • 3d ago

Nursing Hacks Verbal approach to involuntary psych patients

I am a newer ER RN in Canada, I’m looking for advice on approaching patients that are placed on an involuntary hold. Specifically with approaching an individual with restraining and chemical sedation (I know.. seems brutal but if you know you know. I’m not sure if this is legally relevant in all countries but it’s how we do it here). I find it difficult particularly with paranoid and manic patients. What is your spiel for the reasoning of the intervention, when you especially know they need it and they are refusing (and ultimately will have no choice but to take the medication and/or be restrained)

I tend to start off with the fact that the doctor needs them to take sedation.. if they are compliant they will not need to be restrained etc..

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u/Additional_Draw_6483 ED Tech 3d ago

Can you elaborate on what you mean regarding approaching them to notify them of safety practices that include those? 

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u/strawbqu 3d ago

Basically yes.. like what is your spiel? When they say “I’m not taking that” or “I don’t need that”

How do you tell them basically you need to calm down because you’re manic/unwell/delusional and tell them that you can willingly take it or we will have to force it

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u/Additional_Draw_6483 ED Tech 3d ago

Not my spiele as I only am there to assist and defend the nurses but the empathetic ones generally say something like " we want you to be calm, we're here to help you and you are safe. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies and hurt ourselves and others. We're going to do everything in our power to ensure you're safe. " When they resist you simply sat "you are safe and were not hurting you. We're keeping you safe. " Usually this is aided by gently informing the patient of how you're touching them and why while you restrain them provided they refuse further.