Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) (Nursing)

00:00 So, we really want to make sure that we are doing the AIMS Scale, Automatic Involuntary Movement Scale.

00:09 We want to monitor whether or not this person is moving towards tardive dyskinesia or any of the extrapyramidal symptoms.

00:19 We want to do this early because just like with everything else, the earlier we are be able to intervene, the better it is for us to be able to change the medication they're on and try to move them towards having more function.

00:35 The AIMS Scale is a five point scale and it assesses seven body areas.

00:41 It looks at the lips and it looks at the face, it looks at the jaw, the tongue, the upper extremities, the lower extremities and even the trunk of the body.

00:53 So let's think a little bit now about psychosocial interventions.

00:57 It's really important for us as nurses, to be considering the different strategies that are able to be available to our patients.

01:06 Now, as we know, registered nurses are not psychotherapists and any kind of therapeutic strategy that requires specialized education, we're going to call in our colleagues who are going to be able to implement those kinds of interventions.

01:26 So we can work with the therapist.

01:29 And that way, we can create this wonderful safe environment, so that the patient is safe in their own environment.

01:40 And then the psychiatric units, we might actually have behavior modification systems.

01:46 Reward systems, ladders, where they can engage, take care of themselves or in some points be able to shower on their own, earn some points, be able to help out in the kitchen, earn some points.

02:02 And this way they increase the desired behaviors.

02:06 And while they're doing so they're also getting a lot more freedom of choice and assuming more leadership positions on the unit.

02:16 We can also engage in formal and informal psycho education.

02:20 And I've talked about psycho education a couple of times.

02:24 This way we can meet with groups and talk about medication management.

02:28 We can talk about how they are going to be working on the outside when they get released.

02:34 What are their plans? How can they get more exercise into their life? What are their plans with medication? Are they looking at whether or not they want to be able to take the injection or not? And who can we put them in touch with as a resource in their community?