MENTAL HEALTH BASICS
This refers to a person's overall emotional, psychological, and social well-being
What is mental health?
This type of communication is used intentionally by the nurse to help the patient express thoughts and feelings.
What is therapeutic communication?
Patient: “I'm scared.”
Nurse: “Don't worry. Everything will be fine.”
What is NOT therapeutic—false reassurance?
This is the professional relationship established between nurse and patient to promote the patient's health and well-being.
What is a therapeutic relationship?
The patient says:
“I'm nervous about my appointment.”
Give a therapeutic response.
What is “What about the appointment makes you nervous?”
This should be the nurse's response when she doesn't understand what the patient means.
What is asking the patient to clarify?
This concept reminds nurses that a behavior should be assessed for meaning rather than immediately labeled as “bad” or “crazy.”
What is viewing behavior as information?
When a nurse gives the patient their full attention and demonstrates interest in what the patient is saying, this communication skill is being used.
What is active listening?
Patient: “Nobody understands me.”
Nurse: “Why do you feel that way?”
What is NOT therapeutic—using “why” in a potentially judgmental manner?
This relationship should NOT become this type of relationship, even when the nurse genuinely likes the patient.
What is a friendship?
The patient says:
“Nobody cares about me.”
Give a therapeutic response.
What is “Tell me more about what makes you feel that way.”
The nurse says, “Tell me more.”
This simple phrase is an example of this type of communication.
What is therapeutic communication?
This nursing process step involves gathering information about the patient's thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and functioning.
What is assessment?
A nurse says, “Tell me more about what you're experiencing.”
This type of response encourages the patient to continue talking.
What is exploration?
Patient: “I failed my exam and I'm so upset.”
Nurse: “At least you passed the course.”
What is NOT therapeutic—minimizing the patient's feelings?
Before the nurse can determine appropriate interventions, this must occur.
What is assessment?
The patient says:
“I don't want to take this medication.”
Give a therapeutic response.
What is “Tell me what concerns you about taking the medication.”
A patient says, “I'm angry.”
The nurse responds:
“You sound angry.”
This communication technique is being demonstrated.
What is reflection?
A nurse recognizes that personal beliefs, experiences, and values can influence how the nurse responds to a patient. This is called this.
What is self-awareness?
A patient says, “I'm terrified about going home.”
The nurse responds, “You are terrified about going home?”
This technique is being used.
What is reflection?
Patient: “I'm afraid my husband is going to leave me.”
Nurse: “I know exactly how you feel. My husband and I had problems too.”
What is NOT therapeutic—focusing on the nurse's experience?
A nurse notices that a patient reminds her of someone she has had a difficult relationship with. Recognizing this reaction is an example of this.
What is self-awareness?
The patient says:
“I'm never going to get better.”
Give a therapeutic response
What is “What makes you feel that you won't get better?”
A patient says, “Everyone here is talking about me.”
The nurse should avoid doing this, because it can turn the conversation into an argument about whether the patient's belief is true.
What is arguing with the patient's perception?
This is the reason a psychiatric nurse must recognize personal biases before interacting with patients.
What is preventing personal values and beliefs from interfering with patient care?
The nurse communicates acceptance of the patient's feelings without necessarily agreeing with the patient's interpretation of events.
What is validation?
Patient: “I hear voices telling me that people are watching me.”
Nurse: “That's ridiculous. Nobody is watching you.”
What is NOT therapeutic—arguing with or dismissing the patient's perception?
A psychiatric nurse's own feelings, beliefs, and experiences should never be allowed to do this to the patient's care.
What is interfere with professional judgment and therapeutic care?
The patient says:
“I don't want to talk.”
Give a therapeutic response that respects the patient's feelings while keeping the door open for communication.
What is “That's okay. I'll be here if you'd like to talk.”
A patient says:
“I can't go on anymore.”
Before reassuring the patient, the nurse should recognize that this statement may require assessment of this priority concern.
What is patient safety/suicidal ideation?