Mental Health Exam 1

Open-Ended Communication

• Allows the client to be more open with their responses.

• Do not ask “yes” or “no” questions

Therapeutic Relationship

Relationship between the nurse and client that promotes healing and trust, characterized by empathy, respect, and mutual understanding. Also includes establishing appropriate boundaries.

Group Therapy

A form of therapy where a small group of individuals meet regularly to discuss their issues, share experiences, and support one another under the guidance of a therapist. This is not appropriate for aggressive and unstable clients.

Defense Mechanisms

Psychological strategies used to cope with anxiety and protect the self from emotional pain or uncomfortable realities.

Projection

A defense mechanism where individuals attribute their own unacceptable thoughts or feelings to someone else, often as a way to avoid facing their own shortcomings.

Disassociation

A mental process used to cope with trauma, where an individual disconnects from thoughts, feelings, or sense of identity, often as a way to manage stress or anxiety.

Conversion

A defense mechanism where psychological distress is expressed as physical symptoms, often allowing individuals to avoid confronting the underlying emotional issues.

Undoing

A defense mechanism where an individual attempts to reverse or undo a thought or action that is perceived as unacceptable, often by performing a compensatory behavior.

Regression

A defense mechanism in which an individual reverts to earlier stages of development or behavior in response to stress or anxiety.

Introjection

A defense mechanism where an individual incorporates the beliefs or values of others into their own psychological framework, often to avoid conflict or anxiety.

Repression

A defense mechanism in which an individual unconsciously blocks out thoughts, memories, or feelings that are distressing or anxiety-provoking.

Confidentiality

A foundational principle in mental health practice that ensures information disclosed by a client remains private and is not shared without their consent, except in specific circumstances where there is a risk of harm.

You can only break confidentiality if someone is at risk of harming themselves or others.

Autonomy

A person’s ability to make decisions without external control. This gives them the right to refuse treatment/medications.

Client Rights

The fundamental entitlements of a client in the therapeutic process, including the right to informed consent, confidentiality, and to participate in their own treatment decisions.

Stress Reduction

Strategies and techniques aimed at alleviating stress and promoting relaxation, including mindfulness, exercise, and therapy.

• Aroma therapy

• Music therapy

• Massage

• Exersies

• AVOID caffeine

Culture

Culture will always outweigh the importance of ethnicity. It encompasses shared beliefs, values, and practices that shape individual behaviors and perspectives within a community.

Restraints

Only used when you have exhausted all other resources.

• You have to have an order

• Remove every 2 hrs

• Check patient every 15 min

• Must fit 2 fingers underneath

Family Dynamic

• Provides emotional support

• Validates feelings

• Ensures feelings of safety

Voluntary Admits

• are individuals who choose to seek psychiatric treatment on their own accord, understanding that they have the right to request discharge at any time.

• Suicidal patients

• Drug/alcohol abuse

• Willingness to participate in treatment

Therapeutic Communication Techniques

• Open-ended questions

• Silence

• Restating

• Neutral

• Bounderies

• Do not ask “why” questions

Inpatient Hospitalalization

A type of psychiatric treatment setting where patients stay overnight for intense mental health care under supervision, often used for severe conditions requiring close monitoring.

Someone who is in danger to themselves or others.

Mileu Management

A therapeutic environment aimed at providing safety and support for patients, encouraging positive interactions and activities.

Lithium

A mood stabilizer commonly used to treat bipolar disorder and reduce the risk of suicide. It helps to balance neurotransmitters in the brain.

• It has a narrow therapeutic range

• 0.5-1.5

• S/S include: Nausea/vomiting, confusion, and fever.

Assessment

Complete nursing assessment. It is important to avoid biasand ensure comprehensive information is gathered about a patient's mental, physical, and emotional status.

Life Cycle Stages

Redefining the level of dependance so that adolescents are provided with autonomy. This stage involves transitioning from childhood to adulthood, where individuals gradually gain independence and make their own decisions.

Health Promotion

Focuses on their mental health, not just their illness. This maximizes their wellbeing.

Tertiary

Prevention aimed at reducing the impact of ongoing illness on quality of life. This includes rehabilitation and management for chronic conditions.

Frued’s Psychoanalytic Theory

Id - Focused on morals and societal rules, Ego - mediates between the Id and reality, Superego - internalized ideals and standards.

Transerence

A phenomenon in therapy where patients project feelings and attitudes from past relationships onto the therapist, often reflecting unresolved issues.

Countertransference

A nurse projects personal feelings onto a client.

Piaget’s Cognitive Development Theory

Stages: Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, formal Operational.

Psychoanalytic Therapy

Unconcious behaviors and thoughts that influence behavior.

• Focuses on adaptive coping skills

• Walking

• Music

• Boundary setting

Cognitive Therapy

Focuses on individual thoughts and behaviors to solve current problems. Treats depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. It aims to change negative thought patterns and improve emotional regulation.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)

Childhood experiences such as abuse or traumathat can negatively impact health and behavior throughout life.

The loss of a parent does NOT count as an adverse childhood experience.

Erikson’s Stages of Development

A theory that describes eight psychosocial crises throughout a person's life, with each stage representing a challenge that must be resolved to foster healthy psychological development.

Trust vs.. Mistrust

• Birth-1 year

• Infants learn whether they can trust caregivers to meet their needs

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

• 1-3 years

• Toddlers develop independence by learning to do things themselves.

Initiative vs. Guilt

• 3-6 years

• Children begin making decisions, exploring, and taking initiative.

Industry vs. Inferiority

• 6-12 years

• Children develop confidence by learning skills and completing tasks.

Identity vs. Role Confusion

• 12-18 years

• Teenagers explore their beleifs, values, and who they want to become.

Intimacy vs. Isolation

• Young adulthood, 18-40 years

• Adults develop close relationships and meaningful emotional connections.

Geverativity vs. Stagnation

• Middle adulthood, 40-65 years

• Adults focus on contributing to society, helping others, and leaving a positive impact.

Integrity vs. Despair

• Older adulthood; 65 + years

• Older adults reflect on their lives and experience satisfaction or regret.