PN Mental Health Midterm Outline

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to mental health as outlined in the midterm preparation notes.

Goal of treatment in mental health settings

To provide effective care whether in outpatient, inpatient, or community settings.

Ethical principles in mental health

Guidelines that govern the conduct of mental health professionals, including considerations of torts.

Ethical dilemma

A situation in which a choice must be made between two conflicting ethical principles.

Ethical distress

A situation in which a mental health professional feels troubled because they believe something is wrong but are constrained from acting.

High risk populations in mental health

Groups of individuals who are more likely to experience mental health issues, such as those with previous mental health diagnoses or experiencing trauma.

Major neurotransmitter functions

Chemical messengers in the brain that influence mood, perception, and behavior.

Brain anatomy

The structure of the brain and its functional areas that relate to mental health.

Psychotropic medications

Drugs used to treat mental health disorders; include various classifications and have specific side effects.

Mental Status Exam (MSE)

An assessment tool used to evaluate a patient's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning.

Therapeutic communication

Interactions that promote a beneficial relationship between patient and healthcare provider.

Transference

When a patient projects feelings about a significant person in their life onto their healthcare provider.

Countertransference

When a healthcare provider projects their own feelings onto a patient.

General Adaptation Syndrome

The body's physiological response to stress, consisting of three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A mental health disorder characterized by excessive, uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life.

Panic Disorder

A type of anxiety disorder that involves recurrent, unexpected panic attacks.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

A mental health condition marked by persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions).

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A disorder that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

Kubler-Ross’s Stages of Grieving

A model outlining five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Mania

A state of abnormally elevated or irritable mood, arousal, and energy levels.

Bipolar Disorder

A mood disorder with episodes of depression and mania or hypomania.

ECT therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy; a medical treatment for severe depression that involves electrical stimulation of the brain.

Schizophrenia

A mental disorder characterized by disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions.

Positive symptoms of schizophrenia

Symptoms that add to the individual's experience, such as hallucinations and delusions.

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia

Symptoms that reflect a decrease in emotional expression, motivation, or social engagement.

Lithium

A medication commonly used to treat bipolar disorder that requires careful monitoring for side effects.

Antidepressants

Medications used to treat depression, including SSRIs and SNRIs.

Side effects of antipsychotics

Unwanted effects that can arise from taking antipsychotic medications, including weight gain and sedation.