ATI Capstone Content Review: Mental
Health - Tips of the Week
All clients should have a Mental Status Exam, which includes:
Level of consciousness
Physical appearance
Behavior
Cognitive and intellectual abilities
If the client is anxious or depressed
use open-ended, supportive statements
If the client is suicidal
use direct, yes or no questions to assess suicide risk
If the client is panicked
use gentle guidance and direction
If the client is confused
provide reality orientation
If the client has delusions / hallucinations / paranoia
acknowledge these, but don't reinforce
If the client has obsessive / compulsive behavior
communicate AFTER the compulsive behavior
If the client has a personality or cognitive disorder
be calm and matter-of-fact
Therapeutic strategies
for mental health illnesses and disorders can include medications, talk and behavior therapy,
and / or brain stimulation.
Health - Tips of the Week
All clients should have a Mental Status Exam, which includes:
Level of consciousness
Physical appearance
Behavior
Cognitive and intellectual abilities
If the client is anxious or depressed
use open-ended, supportive statements
If the client is suicidal
use direct, yes or no questions to assess suicide risk
If the client is panicked
use gentle guidance and direction
If the client is confused
provide reality orientation
If the client has delusions / hallucinations / paranoia
acknowledge these, but don't reinforce
If the client has obsessive / compulsive behavior
communicate AFTER the compulsive behavior
If the client has a personality or cognitive disorder
be calm and matter-of-fact
Therapeutic strategies
for mental health illnesses and disorders can include medications, talk and behavior therapy,
and / or brain stimulation.
