Study 12 Mental Health Nursing with 12 free online flashcards. Review key terms, definitions, and concepts with this interactive flashcard deck.
How should nurses approach sudden or marked behavioral changes?
Consider medical conditions, medications, substance use, or withdrawal. Report sudden or marked changes and assess physical needs instead of assuming the cause is mental illness.
What are common features of depression?
Depression may involve persistent low mood or loss of interest, low energy, sleep or appetite changes, difficulty concentrating, hopelessness, or thoughts of death.
How can a nurse support someone during intense anxiety?
Use a calm voice, short directions, and a low-stimulation setting. Also assess for urgent physical symptoms.
What changes may occur during a manic episode?
Mania can involve unusually elevated or irritable mood, increased activity, reduced need for sleep, rapid speech, and impaired judgment.
How should a nurse respond to a distressing delusion or hallucination?
Acknowledge the person’s emotion without agreeing with a belief or perception you do not share. Offer calm support and help them feel safe.
Name three trauma-sensitive nursing practices for PTSD.
Explain care before touching or approaching, offer choices when possible, and avoid pressing the person for details of traumatic events.
What communication practices help build therapeutic trust?
Listen actively, use a respectful tone and open-ended questions, and allow time for a response. Reflect or clarify what the patient says.
What principles guide trauma-informed care?
Emphasize physical and emotional safety, transparency, collaboration, and the person’s voice and choice to reduce power imbalances and the risk of retraumatization.
What should a nurse ask when concerned about suicide risk?
Ask directly and plainly about suicidal thoughts, intent, plans, and access to means. Report findings promptly and follow observation and escalation protocols.
What are key nursing actions when someone faces immediate danger?
Prioritize immediate safety and summon appropriate clinical help. Stay with the person when safe, reduce noise and crowding, and do not leave someone alone when immediate danger is identified unless remaining is unsafe.
What is a least-restrictive response to escalating agitation?
Use a calm, nonthreatening approach, maintain personal space, listen, acknowledge distress, offer simple choices, set respectful limits, and request trained assistance early.
When may restraint or seclusion be used in a hospital?
Restraint or seclusion is not punishment or convenience. In hospitals, it is restricted to protecting immediate physical safety, requires safeguards, and must stop as soon as possible.