Questions With Verified Solutions19
Mental Status Exam - ANSWERS All clients should have this which includes:
Level of consciousness
- Alert: Responsive and able to fully respond to normal tone of voice/speech
- Lethargic: open eyes, and respond, but drowsy
-Stuporous: requires vigorous or painful stimuli
- comatose: unconscious
Physical appearance
- Personal hygiene, grooming, nutrition, clothing.
Behavior
-Mood: provides info on how they are feeling
- Affect: expression of a mood
Cognitive and intellectual abilities
- Oriented to person, place, time
- assess their memory, illness, knowledge level of illness, and basic riddles or math to assess
intellect.
The nurse conducts the MSE as part of his or her routine and ongoing assessment of the client.
,Changes in Mental Status should be investigated further and the provider notified.
two types of mental health hospitalizations - ANSWERS Voluntary commitment
- Chooses admission to a mental health facility to obtain treatment
- competent and has the right to refuse medication or treatment.
Informal commitment is against the client's will.
- Client doesn't pose a substantial threat to self or others.
- Free to leave at any time or deny treatment
Involuntary commitment
- enters against their will for an indefinite period of time (limited to 60 days)
- based on their need for treatment, risk of harm to self or others, or the inability to provide
self-care.
- Still considered competent and have the right to refuse treatment.
Communication tips to follow - ANSWERS 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
electroconvulsive therapy - ANSWERS ECT is generally performed for major depressive
disorders, schizophrenia, or acute manic disorders.
Most clients receive therapy three times a week for two to three weeks.
Prior to ECT, carefully screen the client for any home medication use.
---Lithium, MAOIs, and all seizure threshold medications should be discontinued two weeks
prior to ECT.
After therapy, reorient the client as short-term memory loss is common.
classic symptom of depression - ANSWERS change in
-sleep patterns,
-indecisiveness,
-decreased concentration
-change in body weight.
Any client who shows these signs or symptoms should be asked if they have suicidal ideation.
Teach clients to never discontinue antidepressants suddenly.