Mental Health Care Concepts and Safety in Nursing (Lecture Notes)

A set of flashcards covering safety concepts (Good Samaritan laws, whistleblowing, sentinel events), delegation standards, mental health continuum concepts, and various mental health care settings and services.

What is the purpose of Good Samaritan laws?

Provide protection from negligence claims for individuals who provide care without expectation of payment.

What is whistleblowing?

Reporting private information about an organization's wrongdoing or illegal activity.

What is a near miss incident?

An incident in which no harm or injury occurred.

What is a sentinel event?

An incident that causes permanent disability, temporary or severe injury, or death to a client.

What is a just culture in healthcare?

A safety culture that supports accountability and shared responsibility, emphasizing learning from errors.

What is mindfulness in healthcare safety?

A practice of present-mocused, nonjudgmental awareness to improve safety and care.

What are the Five Rights of Delegation?

Right task, Right circumstances, Right person, Right direction, Right supervision & evaluation.

What does the 'Right task' mean in the Five Rights of Delegation?

The task assigned is appropriate for the person to perform.

What does the 'Right circumstances' mean?

The task is appropriate given the patient, setting, and resources.

What does the 'Right person' mean?

The person is competent and authorized to perform the task.

What does the 'Right direction' mean?

Clear, concise instructions and expectations.

What does the 'Right supervision & evaluation' mean?

Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of outcomes.

What are Standards of Practice in nursing guided by?

The nursing process, a critical-thinking model used to guide nursing care.

What is the mental health continuum?

A range of well-being from excellent mental health to poor mental health or mental illness.

How is mental health defined?

A state of well-being in which a person can cope with daily life, be productive, and contribute to the community.

What are some indicators on the mental health continuum?

Occasional nervousness, anxiety, mood changes, panic attacks, sleep disturbances, social withdrawal, depression, irritability.

What is the Excelling zone on the mental health continuum?

Peak of well-being; highest level of mental health.

What is the Thriving zone on the mental health continuum?

A satisfactory level of mental health; able to function normally.

What is the Surviving zone on the mental health continuum?

An unsettled state of mind; problems may worsen.

What is the Struggling zone on the mental health continuum?

Trouble in mental health; anxiety, depression, poor concentration, low energy, struggles with work.

What is the Crisis zone on the mental health continuum?

State of emergency requiring immediate health intervention; may include suicidal thoughts, severe anxiety, depression, social isolation.

What does Community-based care mean in mental health?

Non-acute treatment provided in the community.

What are Outpatient mental health services?

Med management and ongoing treatment; appointment coordination; includes case management.

What is the role of a Primary Care Provider in mental health?

Helps with medications and referrals to therapists; often begins treatment.

What is Case Management in mental health care?

Nurse or social worker coordinates treatment (medications, appointments, transportation); can be home or outpatient.

What are Home-based services?

Nurse or social worker visits the client’s home to provide services.

What are Inpatient mental health services?

Care in a hospital setting for acute needs; may include crisis stabilization and monitoring.

What is a Crisis Stabilization Unit?

Provides monitoring and support for a client experiencing a mental health emergency.