Principles of Mental Health Nursing.pptx

As per INC Syllabus

1. Principles of Mental Health Nursing

2. Introduction Principles are formulated based on the concept that every individual has an intrinsic worth and dignity, potentialities and capabilities. Principles form the guidelines which will help the client to meet his emotional needs and also bring about desirable changes in his behaviours

3. Principles Accept the patient exactly as he is Self understanding is used as a therapeutic tool Consistency is used to contribute to patient's security Reassurance to be given in and acceptable and realistic manner. Patient behaviour can be changed through emotional experience not by rational interpretation:

4. Avoid unnecessary increase in patient’s anxiety Observe objectively to understand and interpret the patient behaviour Maintain realistic professional relationship Verbal and physical force must be avoided if possible Nursing care centred on patient as a person not on control of symptoms

5. Routine procedures explained at patient's level of understanding. Positive reinforcement to be used wherever is possible: Structured activity schedule as a part of psychiatric nursing: Many procedures are modified but basic principal remain unaltered.

6. Patient should be accepted exactly as he/she is Be non-judgemental and non-punitive Show interest in the patient as a person Being aware of her likes & dislikes Recognize the feelings which the patient express. Talk with a purpose: Conversation with a patient must have a goal. Allow patient to express strongly held feelings.

7. Self understanding is used to as a therapeutic tool Exchange personal experience freely and openly with colleagues. Discuss your personal reaction with an experienced person. Participate in group conference regarding patient care.

8. Consistency is used to contribute to patient's security Why consistency? Not knowing what to expect, or fear of the unknown produces anxiety. Patient must feel that she can depend on the people working in the ward. How should consistency operate? Patient to be continuously exposed to an atmosphere of acceptance Consistence to be maintained from nurse & shift to shift

9. Reassurance to be given in a suitable & acceptable manner. Reassure the patient Be truly interested in patient problems. Pay attention to the matters that are important to the patient, however insignificant it may be.

10. Patient's behaviour is changed through emotional experience, not by rational interpretation. Help the patient feel emotionally secure to enable her to develop & use understanding of his/her own behaviour. Understanding cannot be forced. Interpretation is only done when patient is ready for it, i.e. secure enough to tolerate it & able to apple it to alter her behaviour.

11. Unnecessary increase in patient's anxiety should be avoided What factors, situation, topics or approaches can increase anxiety? Direct contradiction of patient's psychotic ideas. Demands on patient which she obviously cannot meet Indiscriminate use of professional terms.. Calling attention to patient's defects. Lack of proper orientation

12. Observe objectively to understand and interpret the patient behaviour Continuous close observations are the most important function of the psychiatric nurse. This helps to interpret the behaviour and avoid untoward incidences.

13. Maintain a realistic professional relationship . Such a relationship is therapeutically oriented & is always based on patient's needs. Nurse keeps analysing the interaction between herself & the patient to prepare herself to guide the patient towards mature behaviour. Nurse must differentiate between patient's demands & actual needs.

14. Verbal & physical force must be avoided if possible Any kind of force applied on patient results in psychological trauma. Anger or annoyance should not be shown. No verbal comments should be made during the procedure, except to tell the patient. Never let the patient feel that she is being punished, attend to her needs as usual. Nursing team must have self-control & understanding in carrying out the procedure.

15. Nursing care centered on patient as a person, not on control of symptoms. Every behavior \ symptom is meaningful. Two patients showing the same symptom may be expressing different needs. Analysis and study of symptoms are necessary to reveal their meaning and their significance to the patient.

16. Routine & procedures explained at patient's level of understanding. Every patient has a right to know what is being done & why it is being done. Every procedure should be explained at her level of understanding.

17. Many procedures are modified but basic principles remain unaffected All nursing procedure like parental injections, dressing, enemas, RT feedings are same as for other physically ill patients. But it will be modified according to the situation without changing the basic principles of the procedures