BASIC PRINCIPLES OF EMERGENCY PSYCHIATRY: 

• Nurses handling psychiatric  emergencies should keep the following principles in mind: 
• The initial approach to a clienvpatient should be warm, direct and concerned. 
• A quick evaluation to identify the nature of  the condition and to initiate care on  the basis of  seriousness  is essential. 
• A comprehensive history  helps  to understand  the anatomy of crisis, the patient's strength and liabilities. 
• Psychiatric history  should be collected from both  the patient and the informant. 
• Detailed general, physical and neurological examination of  the patient should be done. 
• History and clinical findings should be recorded clearly  in emergency file. 
• Psychiatric evaluation should be modified and  tailor made in order  to save time in decision making. 
• Patient's  condition and plan of management should be explained in simple language  to  the  person(s),  who have accompanied  the patient.