General Nursing Interventions for Mental Health Clients
April 21, 2011 | In: Psychiatric Nursing
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Forming a one-to-one relationship with the client
- It will help the client to enhance communication, problem solving, and social skills.
- Coping skills and trust in relationships may be learned or enhanced.
- The nurse who establishes this relationship needs to be clear about its purpose and provide positive interaction with the client.
- Establishment of a specific meeting time, expectations for interaction, and the duration of therapy are important boundaries to establish.
Constructive feedback
- Given to the client so that the client’s self-esteem will not be compromised.
- When the confrontation technique is used, the nurse needs to discuss the discrepancies between the client’s verbalized intensions and non-verbal behavior carefully, without appearing to be attacking the client.
Trust
- Essential to establish a therapeutic relationship.
- Consistency is the key.
- If the nurse cannot meet with client at an appointed time, the client must be informed at the earliest possible time.
- A new meeting time is scheduled.
- Direct communication is essential for the building of a therapeutic relationship.
- Other factors that facilitate trust within the nurse/client relationship include:
- Recognizing the client’s feelings.
- Honesty
- Respect for the client
- Non-judgmental attitude
Emphasize positive results
- Do not argue with the client.
- Recognize that the client is experiencing pain but do not dwell on that pain.
Assessment
- Critical of their behavior at the time of admission or initial treatment. Reassessment is indicated at appropriate intervals.
- The client must also learn how to self-monitor his or her symptoms.
- This communicates to the client that he or she is respected and can control his or her symptoms.
Safety
- The primary concern.
- The client may require protection interventions; these must be provided in a safe manner with respect for the client.
- The milieu may need to be evaluated for safety
Environment
- Provide privacy and time with decreased stimuli.
- It should be a calm environment in which the client feels safe from psychological and physical threats.
Physical needs
- Intricately related to psychological function.
- Ensure that the client’s nutritional, fluid, sleep, hygiene, activities of daily leaving, and exercise needs are met.
Treatment planning
- The client should encourage to participate in every planning.
Medications
- Approach the confused or combative client in a calm, firm manner when administering client.
- Restrains or the assistance of another care provider may be necessary for injections.
- Ensure that the client takes medications and is not hoarding pills.
- Client will need to learn about his or her medications and hot to maintain this treatment without direct staff supervision.
Education
- Very important throughout treatment.
Discharge planning
- Begins with the client is admitted, whether it is in the hospital, home care, or any other treatment program.
- The family must be involved in the process to become successful.