What it means
Visible restlessness: pacing, fidgeting, pulling at lines, shouting or refusing care. It can come from pain, a full bladder, low oxygen, low blood sugar, infection, drug withdrawal, deliriumdih-LEER-ee-umA sudden state of confusion and poor attention that comes and goes over hours or days.Full entry , dementia, anxiety or psychosis. It can build toward aggression.
For the nurse
Look for a physical cause first, such as pain, hypoxia, hypoglycemia or a full bladder. Speak calmly, lower noise and light, give space, and use the least restrictive measures; restraints are a last resort and need an order.
At a glance
| Spanish | agitación |
|---|---|
| Also written | agitated |
Related terms
delirium
A sudden state of confusion and poor attention that comes and goes over hours or days.
withdrawal
The physical and mental symptoms that occur when a person stops or cuts down a substance the body has come to depend on.
antipsychotic
A drug used to treat psychosis, such as hallucinations and delusions, in conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
anxiety
A feeling of worry, fear or unease about something that may happen, often with physical signs such as a racing heart.