Stupor

Subject: Mental Health (Theory)

Overview

Stupor is the lack of critical mental function and a level of consciousness wherein a sufferer is almost entirely unresponsive and only responds to base stimuli such as pain. Those in a stuporous state are rigid, mute and only appear to be conscious, as the eyes are open and follow surrounding objects. The main causes of stupor are Schizophrenia,depression,hysteria and organic cause.Short periods of restricted responsivity can be achieved by intense stimulation (e.g. pain, bright light, loud noise, shock). The management includes ensuring patient airway, and provide ventilator support, give IV fluid if necessary, assess the nutritional status and hydration and dminister medication: naloxione, thiamine, hydrocortisone flumazenil.

Stupor is a lack of crucial mental functions and a level of consciousness in which a person is almost completely unresponsive and only reacts to pain or other basic stimuli. People in a stuporous state are rigid, can't speak, and only seem to be aware because their eyes are open and follow things around them.

 Causes of Stupor

  • Schizophrenia
  • Depression
  • Hysteria
  • Organic cause

Symptoms of Stupor

  • Sleepy state most of the time
  • In Depressive disorders the patient can become motionless
  • Lose their appetite
  • Become mute
  • Short periods of restricted responsivity can be achieved by intense stimulation (e.g. pain, bright light, loud noise, shock)

Diagnosis process of Stupor 

  • History
  • Examination and inspection
  • Pentothal/Amytal interview
  • Investigations

Management process 

  • Ensure the patient airway, and provide ventilator support.
  • Give IV fluid if necessary.
  • Provide nutritional fluid for all three kinds of stupor.
  • Assess the nutritional status and hydration.
  • Check cardiac rhythm.
  • Draw blood for investigations before starting any treatment.
  • Other case is like the care of an unconscious patient.
  • Administer medication: naloxone, thiamine, hydrocortisone flumazenil.
Things to remember
  • Stupor is the lack of critical mental function and a level of consciousness wherein a sufferer is almost entirely unresponsive and only responds to base stimuli such as pain.
  • Those in a stuporous state are rigid, mute and only appear to be conscious, as the eyes are open and follow surrounding objects.
  • The main causes of stupor are Schizophrenia,depression,hysteria and organic cause.
  • Short periods of restricted responsivity can be achieved by intense stimulation (e.g. pain, bright light, loud noise, shock).
  • The management includes ensuring  patient airway, and provide ventilator support, give IV fluid if necessary, assess the nutritional status and hydration and dminister medication: naloxione, thiamine, hydrocortisone flumazen
Questions and Answers

Stupor is defined as a lack of critical mental function and a level of consciousness in which the sufferer is almost completely unresponsive and only responds to basic stimuli such as pain. Stuporous people are rigid, mute, and only appear to be conscious because their eyes are open and following surrounding objects.

  • Ensure patient airway, and provide ventilator support.
  • Give IV fluid if necessary.
  • Provide nutritional fluid for all the three kinds of stupor.
  • Assess the nutritional status and hydration.
  • Check cardiac rhythm.
  • Draw blood for investigations before starting any treatment.
  • Other case is like the care of an unconscious patient.
  • Administer medication: naloxione, thiamine, hydrocortisone flumazenil.

© 2021 Saralmind. All Rights Reserved.