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Trauma-Informed Care: Safety and Engagement

First Priority of Trauma-Informed Care

  • Safety is the foremost priority in trauma-informed care, emphasizing the physical and emotional well-being of patients.

Caring for Patients with Depression

  • When caring for a patient suffering from depression, it is essential to engage them in unit activities, encouraging active participation rather than limiting interactions or promoting passive communication.

  • Teach assertiveness skills to help them effectively express their thoughts and feelings.

  • Depression can inhibit a patient’s ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as grooming. As a caregiver, assess the patient's level of care required and determine if they need additional help to manage these activities.

Manic Bipolar I Patient Management

  • In cases where a patient with Manic Bipolar I experiences significant life stressors (e.g., job loss, divorce), it is crucial to monitor their safety closely to prevent self-harm.

Understanding Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

  • Patients with OCD may engage in behaviors such as washing their hands multiple times a day. These ritualistic actions serve to temporarily alleviate their anxiety.

  • Treatment for OCD commonly entails a combination of medication and therapy to address symptoms effectively.

Patient Communication and Support

  • If a patient expresses feelings of worthlessness or belief that no one cares about them (“no one cares about me and life is not worth living”), respond with compassion:
      - Assure them of your care and express empathy towards their feelings.
      - Avoid giving false reassurances, such as saying, "Of course, your family likes you," or using close-ended questions like, "Who doesn’t like you?" These responses can invalidate their feelings.

  • Maintain a neutral and non-biased therapeutic stance. Focus on the patient’s feelings rather than others’.

Detecting Non-Therapeutic Communication

  • Be attentive to situations where communication focuses on the feelings of others rather than the patient. An example of this is telling a patient, "You shouldn’t worry about yourself; think of the other person’s point of view."

  • If a patient reports hearing voices and you want to probe further, ask, "What are you hearing?" This can help determine the presence of command hallucinations, which require immediate attention.

Medications and Their Effects

  • Olanzapine (Second-Generation Antipsychotic): Possible side effect includes obesity.

  • Nortriptyline (TCA): Notably, it can cause orthostatic hypotension; therefore, instruct patients to rise slowly to maintain safety.

Caring for Manic Patients

  • To care for patients experiencing mania, it is advisable to place them in a quiet, private room to minimize external stimuli.

  • Consider the location of the private room; it can be near the nurse’s station for monitoring or in a quieter hallway.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) Information

  • A common side effect of ECT that should be communicated to family members includes temporary memory loss. ECT is primarily used to treat severe depression.

Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia Relapse

  • Observing early indicators of a relapse in schizophrenia may include difficulty sleeping or maintaining focus. It is imperative to respond swiftly by adjusting medications and informing the healthcare provider of the changes.

Managing Delusions and Paranoia

  • In instances where a patient is experiencing delusions or paranoia, avoid overwhelming them with many questions. Limiting the number of inquiries can help reduce their anxiety.

Medications and Their Effects on Physiology

  • Chlorpromazine (Antipsychotic): This medication may yield anti-cholinergic effects, which include side effects such as dry mouth and constipation.

  • Monitoring lithium levels is crucial: if elevated levels (i.e., 1.6 or 1.8) are detected, immediate notification of the provider is necessary.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)

  • NMS is a serious condition that can arise from the use of antipsychotic medications.

  • Symptoms associated with NMS include:
      - Sweating
      - Hyperactive and rigid muscles
      - Hyperpyrexia (elevated fever)
      - Elevated blood pressure
    After recognizing these symptoms, prompt medical intervention is critical.