PSYCH TIPS?

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I have encountered my worst RN course yet- PSYCH. I thought I would do really well in this class and it was the one I looked forward to the most. I understand the information, read all of the chapters, but when I take my test Im doing something wrong. I haven't passed a test yet. Are there any helpful books? tips? etc

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The main thing to remember with psych is it revolves around therapeutic communication. The correct answer to most questions will be the best therapeutic response or action. Inevitably, at least two answers will seem logical, but one is the "most" correct.

Also, I would suggest speaking with your instructor and see if she can give you some guidance on which areas are giving you trouble. If you are understanding the information, then there is something in the question that is throwing you off and she may be able to help you pinpoint it.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Adding to srobb11's comment, select the answer that both states an objective observation and a statement that allows the expression of feelings of the patient. IE: "You appear to be upset. Let's talk about this."

Get a firm grasp on S/E of psych meds. Know when your patient is experiencing them and which ones are actually normal.

Know how to interact with each type of mental health disorder. You wouldn't talk about last night's dinner party to a bulemic patient and you don't want to feed into hallucinations of the shizophrenic.

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The main thing to remember with psych is it revolves around therapeutic communication.

What this poster said is the best advice I've ever received. Truthfully it helps all throughout nursing in general. The main thing to always remember is; your opinion doesn't matter. This isn't to be rude, it's to say that when you are answering a question on a test about how you respond to a patient, your opinion is always the wrong answer. Deal in objective facts and patient provided subjective information.

It's sort of the difference between sympathy and empathy. Sympathy is when a patient is crying and says "I hate my boyfriend, he just up and left me!" and the nurse says "Oh, girl! I know just what you mean! Men are such dogs..."

Never start a sentence with "Why..." It's accusatory and the patient will go on the defensive. :uhoh3: Also, you never keep a secret. Never, ever. In psych, you can't keep a patients secret so never tell them you can. If you say you will and you don't you've broken their trust and thats that. The idea is to help them open up and express their feelings. Reflect back onto them their own questions. "What do you think I should do?!" Nurse replies "Well, what do YOU think you should do?" After all, they are there to work through their feelings, not yours :)

Those are the tips that I got that have saved me so far lol :) Basically you have to check your opinion at the door, and focus on the patient.

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