electro compulsive therapy
ECT TREATMENT REFLECTION PAPER
Today I was able to familiarize myself with indication, contraindications and nursing care of ECT patient before, during and after the procedures. ECT is a medical treatment for severe mental illness in which a small, carefully controlled amount of electricity is introduced into the brain. This electrical stimulation, used in conjunction with anesthesia like propofol and muscle relaxant medications like saxicoline, produces a mild generalized seizure or convulsion. While used to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders, it is most effective in the treatment of severe depression, and provides the most rapid relief currently available for this illness. It is usually indicated when patients need rapid improvement because they are suicidal, self-injurious, refuse to eat or drink, cannot take medication as prescribed, or present some other danger to themselves. It‘s also used to provide relief from signs and symptoms of mental illnesses such as severe depression and schizophrenia. ECT is contraindicated in patient with brain tumors and other brain diseases that cause increased intracranial pressure. ECT procedure usually begin by having an IV line started and sensors for recording brain activity (EEG or electroencephalogram) placed on the head and a 5 lead ECG was placed on the chest for monitoring the heart. A cuff is wrapped around the upper arm and lower leg for blood pressure and oxygen saturation was also applied to monitor the client’s oxygen status. After everything is connected and in order, a medication is injected through the IV line that will cause the patient to sleep for 5 to 10 minutes. Once asleep, another medication is given to relax the patient’s muscles. This medication will prevent the patient’s muscles from moving during the treatment and will reduce the possibility of injury. This same medication also relaxes the muscles that help a patient breathe, so oxygen will be provided through a mask until the medication
Today I was able to familiarize myself with indication, contraindications and nursing care of ECT patient before, during and after the procedures. ECT is a medical treatment for severe mental illness in which a small, carefully controlled amount of electricity is introduced into the brain. This electrical stimulation, used in conjunction with anesthesia like propofol and muscle relaxant medications like saxicoline, produces a mild generalized seizure or convulsion. While used to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders, it is most effective in the treatment of severe depression, and provides the most rapid relief currently available for this illness. It is usually indicated when patients need rapid improvement because they are suicidal, self-injurious, refuse to eat or drink, cannot take medication as prescribed, or present some other danger to themselves. It‘s also used to provide relief from signs and symptoms of mental illnesses such as severe depression and schizophrenia. ECT is contraindicated in patient with brain tumors and other brain diseases that cause increased intracranial pressure. ECT procedure usually begin by having an IV line started and sensors for recording brain activity (EEG or electroencephalogram) placed on the head and a 5 lead ECG was placed on the chest for monitoring the heart. A cuff is wrapped around the upper arm and lower leg for blood pressure and oxygen saturation was also applied to monitor the client’s oxygen status. After everything is connected and in order, a medication is injected through the IV line that will cause the patient to sleep for 5 to 10 minutes. Once asleep, another medication is given to relax the patient’s muscles. This medication will prevent the patient’s muscles from moving during the treatment and will reduce the possibility of injury. This same medication also relaxes the muscles that help a patient breathe, so oxygen will be provided through a mask until the medication