NPN 125 - Mental Health, Safety, & Dosage Calculations

Mental Health Exam 2 Study Guide

What do Healthy Coping Strategies Involve?

Remembrance, expression, and gradual adaptation.

What should be avoided as a primary coping mechanism?

Reliance on substances (alcohol, sedatives, etc)

How are ways nurses can reinforce balanced strategies?

Suggest journaling, photo albums, or support groups to try.

What are the “positive” symptoms of schizophrenia?

Hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking/behavior.

What are the “negative” symptoms of schizophrenia?

Flat affect, monotone speech, withdrawals, and the lack of motivation.

What are the key aspects of nursing safety when dealing with a patient with schizophrenia?

Keep a safe distance, do not argue with any hallucinations, never threaten/use unnecessary restraints, and respect any refusal of medications.

If a schizophrenic patient refuses their medications that could endanger the patient if they do nit take, what should the nurse do?

Respect & report the refusal.

What are the symptoms of PTSD?

Nightmares, flashbacks, irritability, hyper-vigilance, and avoidance.

What are some common nursing interventions for PTSD?

Therapies (cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy), propranolol for hyperarousal, and using SSRIs

How can a nurse support someone who struggles with PTSD?

Enforce structured sleep, hygiene, safety planning, therapy, and support groups.

What would a nurse avoid when working with a patient with PTSD?

Stimulants (like caffeine) that can worsen hyperarousal.

What is narcissistic personality disorder?

Hypersenseitivity to criticism, lack of empathy, and a sense of entitlement.

When working with patients with personality disorders, what should the nurses response be?

Remain calm, set boundaries, and redirect the patients needs.

What is false imprisonment?

Restricting of ones freedom (threats, withholding visits from guests)

When does a involuntary or a voluntary admission occur?

If the patient becomes a danger to themself or others.

What must nurses always document and respect?

Refusals and autonomy.

How is anorexia defined?

Distorted body image, dangerously low weight, and fear of gaining weight.

What should a nurse establish when working with a patient with an eating disorder?

Trust, supervise their meals, and monitor their vitals & electrolytes.

How is bulimia defined?

Normal or above weight, binge-purge cycles (vomiting is the most common.)

How does dementia progress?

Chronically, progressive decline.

What is the timeline of delirium?

Sudden and often reversible (UTIs, medications, or infections)

How is elder abuse defined?

Neglect, exploitation (financial scams), or physical harm.

Who are mandatory reporters?

All nurses.

What is gathered during the patient assessment portion of the nursing process?

Data (interviews & mental status exam)

What is identified in the diagnosis portion of the nursing proces?

A nursing problem (low self-esteem, risk for injury.)

What is created when planning during the nursing process?

Goals by using patient input.

What is measured during the evaluation portion of the nursing process?

Progress/relapse.

What is the timeline for generalized anxiety"?

Excessive, long-lasting worry.

What increases during someones fight-or-flight response?

Heart and respiration rate & their alertness.

What do PTSD and phobias involve?

Triggers and avoidance

What are compulsions?

Behaviors

What are obsessions?

Thoughts

What does culture influence?

Health-seeking behaviors, family involvement, and respect for elders.

What does abandonment affect in children?

Attachment and self-concept.

What occurs when an adult becomes older?

Memory loss, caregiver strain, and role changes.

What are common therapeutic techniques for communication and boundaries?

Sharing perceptions, clarifying any concerns, and portraying empathy.

When communicating, what should be avoided?

“Why” questions, false reassurance, and personal judgments.

What does building trust require?

Consistency and following through.

In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, what do Physiological needs include?

Safety, food, and pain control.

In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, what do safety needs include?

A stable environment with no harm present.

In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, what do love/belonging needs include?

Support systems (family, friends, & peers)

In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, what do esteem needs include?

Confidence & Independence.

In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, what do self-actualization needs include?

Personal growth

What is Lithium used for?

A mood stabilizer for bipolar disorders.

When someone is taking lithium, what should the nurse monitor?

Hydration & renal/thyroid functioms.

What are common antipsychotics?

Haloperidol & chlorpromazine.

When someone is taking antipsychotics?

Tardive Dyskinesia

When someone is on antidepressants, what should be watched for on early onset?

Suicide.

What are common anxiolytics that are prescribed?

Benzodiazepines

Why are anxiolytics only used short-term?

They are high risk for dependance.