Medical & Nursing Studies
20 flashcards
~10 min
Mental Health Nursing Fundamentals
Twenty flashcards covering psychiatric-mental health nursing essentials: therapeutic communication techniques, suicide and self-harm risk assessment, de-escalation, common psychotropic medication classes and their nursing considerations, and legal/ethical fram...
About this deck
Twenty flashcards covering psychiatric-mental health nursing essentials: therapeutic communication techniques, suicide and self-harm risk assessment, de-escalation, common psychotropic medication classes and their nursing considerations, and legal/ethical frameworks around involuntary admission and restraint. Suited to NCLEX-RN prep and mental health nursing modules.
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A patient-centred communication approach using techniques such as active listening, open-ended questions and reflection to build trust and support the patient's emotional expression.
Active listening, open-ended questions ("Tell me how you've been feeling") and reflection (restating the patient's own words back to them).
Giving false reassurance, asking "why" questions (which sound accusatory), and offering unsolicited advice or personal opinions.
Ideation, plan, means, intent, past attempts, protective factors and current stressors — often summarised as assessing ideation, plan and access to means.
A verbal or written agreement that the patient will seek help instead of self-harming. It is not a substitute for a full risk assessment and safety plan.
A staff member remains within arm's reach of the patient at all times, used for patients at imminent risk of suicide, self-harm or harm to others.
Ensure a safe environment, maintain a calm tone and non-threatening posture, give the patient space, use simple clear language, and offer choices to restore a sense of control.
Only as a last resort when less restrictive measures fail and the patient poses immediate danger. It requires a physician's order, time limits and continuous documented monitoring.
Major depressive disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, OCD and panic disorder. Onset of therapeutic effect typically takes 2–4 weeks.
A potentially life-threatening reaction to excess serotonergic activity: agitation, hyperthermia, tremor, diaphoresis and hyperreflexia — a nursing emergency requiring immediate reporting.
Monitor serum lithium levels (therapeutic range roughly 0.6–1.2 mEq/L) and watch for toxicity signs — vomiting, diarrhoea, tremor and confusion — especially with dehydration.
Avoid tyramine-rich foods (aged cheese, cured meats, fermented products) to prevent a hypertensive crisis.
Muscle rigidity, high fever, autonomic instability and altered mental status in a patient taking antipsychotics — a medical emergency requiring immediate drug discontinuation.
An often irreversible movement disorder — involuntary repetitive movements of the face and tongue — associated with long-term typical antipsychotic use.
Voluntary: the patient consents to admission and treatment. Involuntary: admission is legally mandated, typically when the patient poses danger to self or others, or is gravely disabled.
To confirm the patient understands the treatment, risks, benefits and alternatives, and to act as the patient's advocate — not to obtain the consent itself, which is the provider's role.
Appearance, Affect/mood, Activity (behaviour), Alertness/orientation, and thought content/process — providing a structured snapshot of current mental state.
Mood is the patient's sustained, subjectively reported emotional state. Affect is the observable, outward expression of emotion noted by the clinician.
Elevated mood with grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, pressured speech, risky behaviour (spending, sexual) and impaired judgement — safety and de-stimulation are nursing priorities.
A therapeutic approach using the total treatment environment — structure, routine, peer interaction and staff modelling — to promote patient recovery and social functioning.