Mental Health Principles
What is the "Do No Harm" principle?
The caregiver must avoid any action that may result in harm to the client.
What is the difference between delirium and dementia?
Delirium is acute and reversible; dementia is progressive and irreversible.
What is anxiety?
A feeling of uneasiness, uncertainty, or helplessness in response to a perceived threat.
Why is consistency important in mental health care?
Consistency provides stability and helps clients trust caregivers and routines.
What are benzodiazepines used for?
To treat anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and provide sedation.
Name 1 of the 7 principles of mental health care.
Any of: Do no harm, accept each client as a whole, develop mutual trust, explore behaviors/emotions, encourage effective adaptation, encourage responsibility, provide consistency.
What is sundown syndrome?
Confusion, agitation, and disruptive behaviors that occur in late afternoon or evening.
Name 2 physical symptoms of anxiety.
Any of: muscle tension, fidgeting, sleep problems, headache, fight-or-flight reactions.
How do you support a client in crisis?
Use crisis intervention: ensure safety, assess disposition, provide immediate care, and follow up.
What’s unique about buspirone?
It does not cause sedation or dependence; takes 3–6 weeks for effect
What are the 4 components of behavior?
Perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and actions.
List 1 early symptom of Alzheimer’s disease.
Loss of recent memory.
Describe Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Broad, long-lasting, excessive anxiety or worry that occurs more often than not.
What is CBT?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – helps clients replace ineffective behaviors and thoughts with effective ones.
Name 2 coping mechanisms for anxiety.
Any of: physical (e.g., problem-solving), intellectual (changing perception), defense mechanisms.
How does failure build insight?
Failure offers an opportunity for change and growth by encouraging self-reflection and learning.
Name the three stages of Alzheimer’s.
Early stage: recent memory loss; Intermediate: no recall of recent events; Severe: inability to do anything.
What is the difference between phobias and OCD?
Phobias are obsessive fears; OCD involves repetitive thoughts (obsessions) and actions (compulsions) to reduce anxiety.
What’s the best way to assess anxiety in an older adult?
Simply ask them to describe their anxious feelings; many elders will open up if asked directly.
What should you avoid with SSRIs?
Don’t combine with other SSRIs or St. John’s Wort; avoid abrupt discontinuation.
What is the role of professional boundaries?
To prevent overinvolvement and ensure care remains therapeutic, not personal. Boundaries protect both client and caregiver.
What is the need-driven dementia-compromised behavior model?
A model that views behaviors as communication of unmet needs influenced by environmental and personal factors.
What is PTSD and name 2 symptoms.
PTSD is anxiety following trauma. Symptoms: reliving trauma, emotional numbness, hypervigilance, nightmares.
Name 2 key interventions for rape-trauma syndrome.
Provide emotional support and psychological stability; advocate for the client.
Name 3 drug classes used for anxiety treatment.
Benzodiazepines, SSRIs, SNRIs, atypical anxiolytics, tricyclics, MAOIs.