Psych 30 Review: Mental Health Fundamentals Flashcards

Flashcards cover core concepts from the psych lecture: mental health basics, coping and self-concept, Erikson and Freud, stress and anxiety, defense mechanisms, therapeutic communication, addictive personality, substance use disorders, withdrawal, detox vs rehabilitation, assessment, and safety considerations for nurses.

What are the two keywords used to distinguish mentally healthy behavior from mental illness (as discussed in the lecture)?

Cope and adjust/adapt.

Name at least two maladaptive coping behaviors mentioned in the notes.

Examples include irritability/defensiveness/aggressiveness, isolation or withdrawal, substance abuse, and neglect of personal hygiene.

What are four examples of healthy coping behaviors highlighted in the lecture?

Meditation, journaling, support groups, and openly talking about our feelings.

What is Erik Erikson's major belief about personality development?

Psychosocial development is achieved through task mastery at every life stage.

What are Freud’s three parts of the personality?

Id (pleasure/pain principle), Ego (reality factor), and Superego (morals).

What are the four parts of self-concept?

Personal identity, body image, role performance, and self-esteem.

What are the two types of role performance and how do they differ?

Ascribed (unchosen, determined by factors like chromosomes) and assumed (chosen, taken on by the individual).

What does 'subjective' mean in the context of stress and anxiety?

Subjective means it is perceived by the individual, i.e., how they view the stressor.

How is anxiety defined in the notes?

A perceived threat to self.

What happens at the panic level of anxiety and what is the priority nursing intervention?

Problem solving declines; priority intervention is to fix breathing (breathing techniques).

During a panic attack, what is the nurse’s priority action?

Help the patient regulate breathing to relieve symptoms and reduce anxiety.

Name the five factors that influence the degree of anxiety.

1) The individual's view of the stressor (subjective), 2) number of stressors, 3) previous experience, 4) magnitude of change, 5) overall functioning.

Give an example of a defense mechanism and its use.

Denial: refusing to accept reality (e.g., thinking a deceased spouse is still alive).

What is rationalization?

Justifying or making excuses for behavior (e.g., not doing homework and rationalizing it).

What is therapeutic communication focused on, and what are some good strategies?

Focus on the patient and their problem; use open-ended prompts like 'tell me more about that' and avoid defensive or WHY-questions.

What is considered the best nursing response in therapeutic communication when a patient feels overwhelmed?

'You seem to be overwhelmed about your diagnostic test tomorrow. Can you tell me more about that?'

What types of responses should be avoided in therapeutic communication?

Defensive or aggressive responses and questions that start with 'why' or divert from the patient’s issue.

In addiction care, what is the difference between tolerance and dependence?

Tolerance: increasing amounts needed to achieve the same effect; dependence: chronic, often physical/psychological need for the substance with withdrawal if removed.

Describe the early stage of dependence.

Tolerance develops; the person may attempt to quit cold turkey and feel relatively normal for a time.

Describe the middle stage of dependence.

Dependence is established; withdrawal occurs if stopping; increased use to feel normal.

Describe the late stage of dependence.

Never feels normal regardless of amount or frequency of use.

Why is alcohol withdrawal particularly dangerous?

It can be life-threatening and potentially deadly if not treated promptly.

What is the most common side effect of opioids, and what is the most severe risk?

Common: constipation. Severe risk: respiratory depression which can lead to death.

What is the antidote for opioid overdose?

Naloxone (Narcan).

What are some warning signs of a chemically impaired nurse, and what should you do if you suspect impairment?

Warning signs (not exhaustively listed in the notes) may include abnormal behavior and inconsistencies; report to your supervisor as the primary action.

What is the best approach to communicating with a chemically impaired colleague?

Nonjudgmental communication to maintain rapport and patient safety.

What is the first action in the nursing process?

Assessment.

What subjective questions are important when assessing a patient for substance use?

Normal pattern of use, date/time of last use, which substance is used and amount, and relevant legal history (e.g., arrests/DUIs).

What are the two phases of recovery in substance use disorders and their focus?

Detoxification (safety-focused) and rehabilitation (abstinence-focused, with coping strategies and support).

What is the primary goal in the rehabilitation phase of addiction treatment?

Abstinence from the substance.

What is a key point about opioid withdrawal management?

Administer opioid withdrawal management with caution; naloxone is used for overdose, not withdrawal per se.

What is a core nursing assessment emphasis for addiction treatment?

Assess, assess, assess: establish baseline, patterns, last use, substances, and risk for withdrawal.

Why is the concept of 'subjective' important when studying anxiety for exams?

Because anxiety is highly individual and depends on how each person perceives stressors.