How should you manage a patient with altered mental status?

Managing a patient with altered mental status requires immediate attention to critical physiological functions. Monitoring vital signs is essential because any changes can indicate deterioration in the patient's condition or the development of life-threatening issues. This involves checking the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation.

In addition to monitoring vitals, ensuring airway protection is paramount. Patients with altered mental status may have compromised airway reflexes, making them susceptible to aspiration or airway obstruction. Interventions might include positioning the patient to maintain a patent airway, employing suction if necessary, and being prepared to assist with ventilation if the patient's breathing becomes inadequate.

This approach prioritizes the patient's safety and stability, laying the groundwork for further assessment and treatment. Other methods that involve physical mobility or mental stimulation are secondary and can pose risks if the patient's status is unstable. Likewise, limiting interaction could be inappropriate, as it can lead to social isolation or further confusion. The primary focus remains on stabilizing the patient through vigilant monitoring and airway management.