Mental Health Psychiatric Nursing

Course: Mental Health Psychiatric Nursing

Prerequisites: Medical Surgical Nursing I

Description:

This course has 1300+ Interactive Practice Exam Questions with Rationales. It introduces the principles of psychiatric-mental health nursing. Students learn to use therapeutic communication to build rapport, perform mental status exams, and apply the nursing process to care for individuals and families experiencing psychiatric disorders, crises, and substance use disorders. Emphasis is on self-awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting mental health. Clinical experiences are in inpatient psychiatric units, community mental health centers, and substance abuse treatment facilities.

Topics Covered:

01. Foundations of Mental Health: History, Ethics, Legal Issues (Involuntary Commitment)

02. Therapeutic Use of Self and the Nurse-Client Relationship

03. Therapeutic Communication Techniques and Motivational Interviewing

04. Mental Status Examination (MSE) and Psychiatric Assessment

05. Crisis Intervention and De-escalation Techniques

06. Nursing Care of Patients with:

-Mood Disorders: Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder

-Anxiety Disorders: Generalized Anxiety, Panic, OCD, PTSD

-Psychotic Disorders: Schizophrenia

-Personality Disorders (Overview)

-Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders

-Eating Disorders: Anorexia, Bulimia

07. Biopsychosocial Therapies: Psychopharmacology, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Group Therapy

08. Suicide and Violence Risk Assessment and Prevention

09. Self-Care and Prevention of Burnout for the Nurse

Enrolled by

1 student

What You’ll Learn?

Establish and maintain a therapeutic nurse-client relationship using principles of therapeutic communication (e.g., active listening, open-ended questions, validation) while maintaining professional boundaries and a non-judgmental attitude.

Conduct a comprehensive mental status examination (MSE) and psychiatric assessment, systematically gathering and documenting data on appearance, behavior, mood, affect, thought process/content, cognition, and insight/judgment.

Apply the nursing process to develop, implement, and evaluate individualized care plans for clients with major psychiatric disorders, prioritizing safety and focusing on realistic, client-centered outcomes.

Implement de-escalation techniques and crisis intervention strategies to safely manage aggressive or agitated behavior, minimizing the need for seclusion or restraint and prioritizing the least restrictive environment.

Educate clients and families on the purpose, expected effects, and major side effects of common psychotropic medications (e.g., antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers) and the importance of adherence.

Perform a suicide risk assessment by identifying key risk and protective factors, and formulate an appropriate safety plan (e.g., means restriction, crisis contacts, coping strategies) in collaboration with the client and treatment team.

Analyze the impact of stigma, trauma, and social determinants of health on the experience, presentation, and treatment of mental illness across diverse populations.

1 Lesson1 Quiz

Chapter 13: Self-Care & Professional Resilience

Quiz

Certification

Choose from a list of project topics or create your own project idea that incorporates all skills learned (e.g., a mini-banking system, personal expense tracker, or inventory manager).