Unit 1 Mental Health Systems and Theories
This term refers to a state of well-being in which an individual realizes their potential, can cope with normal life stresses, and can contribute to their community.
What is mental health?
This legal document allows for involuntary admission of a patient into a mental health facility if they pose a risk to themselves or others.
What is the Mental Health Act?
This psychiatric tool is used to assess a patient’s appearance, behavior, thought processes, and cognitive function.
What is the Mental Status Examination (MSE)?
This disorder is characterized by intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and hypervigilance following a traumatic event.
What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
This term refers to a sudden emotional event that disrupts an individual’s ability to cope effectively.
What is a crisis?
This historical factor greatly influenced mental health care in Canada, shifting the focus from institutionalization to community-based care.
What is deinstitutionalization?
This ethical principle ensures that mental health patients have the right to refuse treatment unless deemed incompetent.
What is autonomy?
A nurse establishes rapport with a new psychiatric patient by using active listening and empathy. What type of communication is this?
What is therapeutic communication?
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are linked to an increased risk of what type of long-term health conditions?
What are mental health disorders, cardiovascular disease, and substance use disorders?
This evidence-based assessment tool is used to evaluate a patient’s warning signs for suicide
IS PATH WARM
You are a nurse caring for a patient who is a newly arrived refugee in Canada. The patient refuses to speak with you because they believe "all nurses are against them." What stigma-related concept does this illustrate?
What is discrimination or implicit bias?
A nurse is working with an Indigenous patient who is hesitant to receive mental health care due to historical trauma from the healthcare system. What culturally competent approach should the nurse take?
What is a trauma-informed approach that acknowledges past harms, builds trust, and incorporates culturally safe practices?
During a mental health assessment, a patient says, “I hear voices telling me to hurt myself.” What is the nurse’s priority action?
What is conducting a suicide risk assessment and ensuring immediate safety interventions?
A patient who survived a violent assault is struggling to trust healthcare providers. What trauma-informed care principles should the nurse follow?
What is promoting safety, transparency, empowerment, and recognizing the patient’s past experiences?
A patient who was recently hospitalized for a suicide attempt expresses hopelessness and states, "There is no point in living." What should the nurse do next?
What is conducting an immediate suicide risk assessment and notifying the healthcare team?
A patient with severe anxiety is struggling in a fast-paced, noisy emergency department. Based on mental health frameworks, which type of care setting would be more appropriate for this patient?
What is a calm, structured, and supportive environment
A patient with schizophrenia is refusing antipsychotic medication, but their condition is worsening. What legal and ethical considerations should the nurse weigh before pursuing involuntary treatment?
What are the patient’s right to refuse treatment, assessment of competency, Mental Health Act guidelines, and the need to balance autonomy with patient safety?
A patient with bipolar disorder expresses anger toward a staff member. How should the nurse apply de-escalation strategies to prevent escalation into violence?
What is using a calm tone, maintaining a safe distance, offering choices, and redirecting the conversation?
How might prolonged exposure to stress hormones (e.g., cortisol) impact the mental and physical health of an individual?
What is that chronic stress can lead to anxiety, depression, immune system suppression, and increased cardiovascular risks?
Compare and contrast the effectiveness of pharmacological interventions versus cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in managing suicidal ideation.
What is that medication can stabilize mood, while CBT helps modify negative thought patterns and build coping skills, often used together for best outcomes?
Critically evaluate how a nurse’s understanding of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) impacts patient care and treatment planning.
What is that the DSM-5 provides standardized diagnostic criteria, helps in selecting treatment options, ensures proper documentation, and allows for interdisciplinary collaboration?
Analyze the ethical implications of using seclusion rooms for aggressive psychiatric patients and propose alternative interventions.
What is that seclusion should only be used as a last resort, and alternative interventions include de-escalation techniques, therapeutic communication, sensory modulation, and medication adjustments?
Critically analyze the impact of professional boundaries in preventing countertransference in the nurse-patient relationship.
What is that maintaining professional boundaries ensures objectivity, prevents emotional entanglement, and promotes ethical, patient-centered care?
Evaluate the effectiveness of community-based interventions (e.g., shelters, support groups) in reducing the mental health burden of domestic violence survivors.
What is that community support provides safety, peer encouragement, therapy, access to legal resources, and long-term mental health improvement?
Critically analyze the ethical considerations surrounding involuntary hospitalization for a suicidal patient who is refusing care.
What is balancing the patient’s right to autonomy with the duty to prevent harm, ensuring legal and ethical justification for involuntary admission?