Mental Health Ch. 17
The policies and procedures at a community psychiatric-mental health center include an emphasis on case finding. How can a nurse at the center best perform case finding?
Assessing all clients carefully to identify those at risk for suicide.
The nurse is interviewing a client with a diagnosis of depression and the client states, "Honestly, I know my family would be a lot better off if I wasn't around to be a burden on them. That's just between you and me, though, okay?" What is the nurse's best response?
"I'm obliged to share what we talk about with the other people on your care team."
The nurse working on a mental health unit is teaching a nursing student. The student asks the nurse about what constitutes a diagnosis for major depressive disorder. What is the nurses best response?
"The primary diagnostic criterion is one or more major depressive episodes for at least 2 weeks with other symptoms present."
Which is an anticonvulsant used as a mood stabilizer?
Divalproex
A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with bipolar disorder who has been prescribed divalproex. The nurse knows that the client should have which test completed before initiation of drug therapy?
Liver Function
The nurse is caring for a client with major depressive disorder who has been admitted to a psychiatric-mental health facility. After assessing the client, the nurse has developed a nursing diagnosis of "risk for violence toward others related to agitation and low tolerance level." Which would be an appropriate intervention for this client?
Remove all dangerous items from the client's room.
A client hospitalized for uncontrolled manic behavior constantly belittles other clients on the general ward and is demanding special favors from the nurses. Which is the most effective nursing intervention for this client?
Set limits with specific and consistent consequences for belittling or demanding behavior.
The nurse is working with an inpatient who has a history of suicide attempts. What action by the client should the nurse follow up on because it may constitute a suicide planning behavior?
The client has requested extra bedding despite the warm weather.
Which mental health disorder has the most significant risk factor for suicide?
depression
Which is the greatest predictor of a future suicide attempt?
previous attempt
