Verbal approach to involuntary psych patients

[u/strawbqu]

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..

[u/Informal-Face-1922]

Truly manic patients, I find, do best with one person communicating with them. While there may be a team of people working with them, if only one person is maintaining conversation with the pt, it seems to go much smoother. I try to be the one maintaining that conversation letting them know first off that they are safe and we are working to help them.