Agitation Management

• The agitated behavior scale was developed to assess the nature and extent of agitation during the acute phase or recovery after TBI.
• Agitated Behavior Scale

  A) WNL

  B) Mild

  C) Moderate

  D) Severe

  
• The minimum score on the ABS is 14. This means the patient has no agitation.
• If the patient is feeling anxious, be supportive. Remove the stimulus and provide a quiet and calming environment. Provide structure and consistency daily.
• If the patient gets defensive, be directive. Provide structure and offer clear choices. Give into requests as long as they complete an activity.
• If the patient begins to act out, perform nonviolent crisis intervention. Preventing them from harming themselves or others, but do not force anything on the patient.
• After the tension is reduced, provide therapeutic rapport. Talk to the patient about the situation and reassure them.
• The coma recovery scale is used to assist with differentiating disorders of consciousness.
• The two key indicators of emerging from a minimally conscious state are functional usage of an object and accurate and functional communication.