Help!!! Last Sem. Of Nursing And Worried About Mental Health Class!!

[pikevillenursing21]

I need someone who has taken the mental health class before to let me know what to expect for this mental health test I have in a week.

I don't know what kind of questions are asked for mental health--

can someone please tell me what to expect :-)! I don't want to freak out! :balloons: :uhoh21: :uhoh21: :uhoh21:

[SFCardiacRN]

Just study like you did for all your other tests and you'll be fine.

[skrnypa]

It's been a while since I was in class, but as I recall, the mental health questions were very similar to other areas of nursing-

know your major diagnoses, symptoms (especially the emergency and crisis related ones) and the health response issues that are common to each illness.

Know the major classes of medications and what each is used to treat, average dose ranges and side effects, teaching issues.

Psych/Mental Health nursing is NEW! Up until about 50 years ago, insane asylums and blood-letting were the "treatment of choice". What we have learned in the last 50 years, in addition to the medication-related treatment information, is mostly about people and helping them LIVE.

Bottom lines-

suicidality is always a crisis! never over look it! always ask!

anyone who is psychotic is at risk (they aren't in touch with reality)- they may be prone to self-harm or harming others or unintentionally get harmed because of the misperception- protection is important

Violence is a concern- although mentally ill people are no more violent than the general public- threats of violence should always be taken seriously; giving people who are agitated MORE space can help calm them; listening to people who are agitated can help calm them.

side effects of psychotropic medications can be TERRIBLY debilitating- close monitoring and lots of education is VERY important

non-compliance is an issue with many people taking psychiatric medications- partly because of side effects, and for MANY other reasons (cost, transportation, stigma, pressure from family/friends, etc)

speaking of stigma-

stigma is one of the greatest obstacles for people dealing with mental health issues-

every aspect of life is affected my mental health-

physical health- is worse- co-morbidity is high with smoking, heart disease, obesity, diabetes

family life- roles are impacted in both the family of origin and in the patient's own family (strain on relationships is high)

education levels are lower w/ chronic serious mental illness- symptoms often interfere in life activities during late high school and college years, learning difficulties are associated with psychotic illnesses

work is affected- time-off is an issue (when symptomatic and when needed for follow-up appts, etc)

social life- finding a group to fit in with, avoiding drugs and alcohol that do not mix with meds

I'm sure this is more than you were looking for-

good luck with your test and try not to be too worried about it:wink2:

[pikevillenursing21]

Thank you for ur answers--I'm going to take them and hopefully they'll help!! I'm sure they will--I guess I'm getting worked up because it's my last sememster--I'm ready to graduate!

[NaomieRN]

Good Luck to you pikevillenursing21

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

As a student, you may also wish to check out our General Nursing Student Discussion forum and our Nursing Student Assistance forum which you can access via my GREEN link button below. You may run across several students who have already taken a similar test.

Good luck!