Mental Health Study Guide

Flashcards covering key concepts, definitions, and details from the mental health study guide.

Justice

Fair and equal treatment for all patients.

Autonomy

Respecting the patient's right to make their own healthcare decisions.

Beneficence

The duty to act in ways that benefit the patient ("doing good").

Nonmaleficence

The obligation to do no harm.

Neurotransmission

The process of communication between neurons via chemical messengers called neurotransmitters.

Milieu

A safe, structured, and supportive therapeutic environment designed to affect patient behavior positively.

Tort

A civil wrong for which damages may be sought.

Unintentional Tort

Negligence or malpractice; the most common type in healthcare.

Assault

A threat or action that makes a person fearful of being touched.

Battery

Actual unwanted or harmful physical contact.

False Imprisonment

Restricting a patient's movement without legal justification.

Least Restrictive Actions

Verbal de-escalation, redirection, offering PRN medications, and increased observation.

Inpatient

Treatment for severe cases where the patient is a danger to self or others.

Outpatient

Treatment for mild to moderate symptoms allowing patients to live at home.

Partial Hospitalization

Structured treatment during the day with the patient returning home at night.

Residential

Long-term support for those unable to live independently.

Team Members

Psychiatrist, Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Case Manager, Home Health Nurse, each providing specific contributions.

Boundaries

Professional limits to ensure the relationship remains focused on the patient's recovery.

Trauma-Informed Care

Approaching patients with understanding of past trauma and respecting their physical space.

Unit Safety Measures

Remove harmful objects, monitor patients closely, and maintain clear communication.

Mental Health

A state of well-being where one can cope with life stressors.

Mental Illness

A diagnosable medical disorder that disrupts thinking and mood.

Mood

The patient's subjective report of how they feel.

Affect

The nurse's objective observation of the patient's emotional expression.

Restating

Repeating back the main idea expressed by the patient to clarify and encourage further discussion.

DSM-5-TR

Standard manual used to diagnose mental disorders containing diagnostic criteria.

Erikson's Stages of Development

Theoretical framework describing key psychosocial challenges at different life stages.

Id

The impulsive, pleasure-seeking component of personality.

Ego

The realistic part that balances the Id and Superego.

Superego

The moral 'conscience' of personality.

ECT

Electroconvulsive therapy used for severe depression.

Cognitive Therapy

Focuses on changing distorted thought patterns.

Behavioral Therapy

Focuses on changing maladaptive behaviors.

Group Therapy

Peer-led or professionally led support from others with similar issues.

Alprazolam

A benzodiazepine medication with a high risk of addiction/dependence.

Clozapine

An antipsychotic requiring regular blood work to monitor WBC levels due to risk of agranulocytosis.

Discontinuation Syndrome

Symptoms such as flu-like symptoms, dizziness, and anxiety from stopping antidepressants abruptly.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

Tremors, seizures, and anxiety; treated with benzodiazepines.

Agranulocytosis

A dangerously low white blood cell count with symptoms like fever and sore throat.

Lithium Levels

Normal range is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L; toxicity includes tremors, confusion, and vomiting.

COWS

Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale, a tool for measuring opiate withdrawal severity.