Review article | https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10084-12125 |
Neurological Disturbances and Self-extraction Behavior: A Review
1–3Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Kasturba Gandhi Nursing College, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Puducherry, India
Corresponding Author: Kripa Angeline, Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, Kasturba Gandhi Nursing College, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Puducherry, India, Phone: +91 9715262821, e-mail: angelinekripa@gmail.com
How to cite this article Nandhini S, Angeline K, Renuka K. Neurological Disturbances and Self-extraction Behavior: A Review. Pon J Nurs 2019;12(3):76–77.
Source of support: Nil
Conflict of interest: None
ABSTRACT
Neurological disturbance describes the sudden onset of aggressive and violent behavior and autonomic dysfunction, typically in the setting of acute on chronic drug abuse or serious mental illness. It is mainly associated with delirium, dementia, and other behavioral disorders which are also collectively known as acute behavioral disturbances (ABD). Self-extraction behavior is common among patients admitted with neurological disturbances associated with certain medical and surgical disorders. The clinical characteristics of self-extraction behavior are pulling out of tubes, IV lines, interrupting medical treatment, and interfering with nursing procedures. Research literature was reviewed with regard to self-extraction behavior and its associated factors. A literature search was conducted with the following search terms, keywords, and phrases: self-extraction behavior and neurological disturbances. Totally 25 articles were reviewed by using the databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar, based on the criteria of clinical variables, demographic variables and self-extraction behavior. A considerable debate exists regarding the influencing factors for self-extraction behavior in patients with neurological disturbances. From this review, we infer that there are various contributing factors which influence the increased prevalence of self-extraction behavior among patients with neurological disturbances. The identified contributing factors are associated with clinical variables of patients. Research literature supports the necessity for understanding the associated risk factors for self-extraction behavior.
Keywords: Agitation, Neurological disturbances, Self-extraction behavior.
INTRODUCTION
Neurological disturbance describes the sudden onset of aggressive and violent behavior and autonomic dysfunction, typically in the setting of acute on chronic drug abuse or serious mental illness. It is mainly associated with delirium, dementia, and other behavioral disorders which is also collectively known as acute behavioural disturbances (ABD).1
Self-extraction behavior is defined historically as destructive actions directed toward persons, objects, or self is most commonly directed toward caregivers.2
A literature search was conducted with the following search terms, keywords, and phrases: self-extraction behavior and neurological disturbances. The search was performed in the following databases: PubMed and Google Scholar.
OBJECTIVES
A systematic review was conducted focusing on self-extraction behavior among patients with neurological disturbances.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic review was conducted among 25 studies, out of which 15 were thoroughly reviewed. We primarily analyzed articles from 2010 to 2016 but included articles 2009 to 2019 due to high citation index. We examined titles and abstract to relevant reports.
OVERVIEW
Self-extraction behavior is defined historically as destructive actions directed toward persons, objects, or self is most commonly directed toward caregivers.
Characteristics of Self-extraction Behavior3
- Self-injury,
- Pulling out of IV lines and catheters,
- Dislodging tubes and drains,
- Attempting to remove a dressing,
- Grasping cables of monitor such as pulse oximeter probes,
- Disrupting medical equipment—pulling and hitting electrocardiography (ECG) leads and monitor,
- Interrupting with nursing care procedures,
- Hitting infusion pumps and IV stands, risk for self-fall.
Factors Influencing Self-extraction Behavior
Self-extraction behavior is the common problem that occurs more frequently in patients with certain conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or cardiac disease.4–6 This increased frequency could, however, simply reflect the longer intubation periods and weaning in these patient groups. Some other related factors, including prolonged immobility, the inability to communicate, and nursing and respiratory procedures, increase the rate of self-extraction by 26%.7 For instance, age and duration of hospital stay have an important role in self-extraction behavior. There is a strong correlation between self-extraction behavior and duration of hospital stay.
The review commences with an overview of self-extraction behavior, and the characteristics used to define self-extraction behavior are reviewed. The review subsequently focuses on the self-extraction behavior associating risk factors in the general patients admitted with neurological disturbances. Various contributing factors associated with self-extraction behavior are reviewed and presented.
CLINICAL VARIABLES ASSOCIATED WITH SELF-EXTRACTION BEHAVIOR8–10
The association between self-extraction behavior and various clinical variables has been reviewed. Variables like glasgow coma scale (GCS), serum electrolyte level, blood glucose level, acid–base levels, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were reviewed here. According to the review, the patient’s level of consciousness is a strong predictor for self-extraction behavior, and incidence is higher in patients with a GCS score of 9–12 points. Abnormal BUN and abnormal (%3C;20, %3E;50 mm Hg) PaCO2 were highly significant factors for self-extraction behavior. Some studies proved that the patients with electrolyte imbalances particularly hypernatremia, hypomagnesemia exhibiting symptoms like confusion and disorientation. Several studies revealed that the acid–base imbalances especially metabolic acidosis had an association with symptoms of neurological disturbances.
| Clinical variables | Defining level |
|---|---|
| GCS | 9–12 |
| BUN | Greater than 20 mg/dL |
| pH | <7 |
| HCO3 | >45 mEq/L |
| Blood sugar level | >400 mg/dL |
SUMMARY
From this review, it is apparent that studies on the international front are many, but there are relatively less Indian studies on the self-extraction behavior among patients with neurological disturbances and associating risk factors. This review clearly depicts the associated factors of self-extraction behavior. This review also emphasizes the association of clinical variable and the risk of developing self-extraction behavior. Based on this review, no clear pattern emerges with regard to the association between unhealthy practice variables and self-extraction behavior. This review highlights the fact that patients who are diagnosed with diabetes ketoacidosis, acid–base imbalances, electrolyte imbalances, and GCS are closely associated with self-extraction behavior.
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