PSYCHOSIS: Zones for Client Management
GREEN ZONE: ALL CLEAR
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Functioning well in daily activities
Able to take care of personal needs (hygiene and grooming)
Able to organize thoughts and communicate needs
Able to control impulses and behaviors
Taking medications as prescribed and keeping doctor appointments
Able to participate in social activities
No delusions or hallucinations; or appropriate response to these symptoms
No use of alcohol or non-prescribed substances
AGENCY ACTIONS/INTERVENTIONS
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YELLOW ZONE: CAUTION
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Feeling less able to organize thinking and behavior
Difficulty taking care of personal needs (hygiene and grooming)
Less able to function and follow through with plans
Bothered more often by delusions or hallucinations
More withdrawn or more hyperactive
Careless about taking medications as prescribed
Less able to control impulses and behaviors
RED ZONE: MEDICAL ALERT
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Overwhelmed by delusional thoughts or hallucinations
Hears voices saying to harm self or others
Unable to regulate behavior or control impulses
Refusing to take medications or keep doctor appointments
Unable to carry on a coherent conversation
Feelings of hopelessness
Refusing to eat
Unable to sleep
Violent behavior
Symptoms are under control. No action required.
AGENCY ACTIONS/INTERVENTIONS
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Discuss current life stressors with client.
Allow client to share his/her emotional response.
Review medication regimen with client.
Alert psychiatrist or treating physician to
increased symptoms.
AGENCY ACTIONS/INTERVENTIONS
 Notify psychiatrist or treating physician of
decomposition.
 Consider calling a mobile crisis team.
 Send to ER or call 911 as appropriate.
This material was adapted from materials created by Isabella Geriatric Center Long Term Home Health Care Program, New York City, NY. This material is provided by Stratis Health, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization
for Minnesota, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services. The contents do not necessarily reflect CMS policy.
8SOW-MN-1b-08-50 052908