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Mental Health Nursing - Assessing Mental Health
A physical exam is often included in mental health assessments to rule out any physical conditions. This could include blood tests, urine testing, or even brain scans.
Psychologists employ a variety of instruments to evaluate mental health. These range from pen and paper test forms to in-depth interviews or self-complete postal questionnaires.
Mood and affect
The doctor will first be aware of the patient's mood and affect. They are the general emotional state, which can range from joy to sadness or irritability to anger. The patient's mood can be measured through facial expressions, general demeanor and the response to external or internal stimuli. smiling at the joke or crying over the loss of a loved one).
Affect is a temporary emotion but mood is a more sustained emotional state. It is usually described as euthymic, dysphoric, or normal (meaning depression). Psychiatric professionals should be careful to avoid confusion between the two terms because they are different in their definition and are affected by a variety of factors.
While the MSE is a useful diagnostic tool but it isn't always easy to interpret based on subjective patient report. Asking patients about their feelings over the past few weeks is more effective than relying on just the observations of a doctor. A recent study showed that a significant percentage of symptoms, even those grouped together under the same disorder category, differ between assessment tools. This could be due to the different emphasis on emotional or cognitive symptoms, as well as differences between the time intervals and frequency of reporting symptoms.
It is possible that the MSE relies solely on self-reporting which could be biased. For example, a patient who describes experiencing anxiety and a headache is likely to report an lower score than someone who has only the sensation of a headache. Additionally, there is a tendency for patients to minimize negative emotions and underestimate the severity of positive emotions.
Affect and mood have a direct impact on thoughts which influences decision-making, interpersonal behaviour, and physical functioning. They are affected by fatigue, stress and social interactions. A positive mood can actually boost creativity and mental energy. assessment in mental health can cause confusion and reduce concentration. A thorough and thoughtful mental health evaluation must consider both the patient's mood and affect, as well as other factors.
Thought content
The ability to determine how a patient thinks is one the most important aspects of a mental health exam. Specifically, evaluating thought process and thoughts. The thought process is the coherence, logic and structure of a patient's thoughts. Normal thought processes are objective-oriented and rational. In several mental health conditions however, the thought process can be altered. Examples include hallucinations, delusions and loose associations.
Insight and judgement are also assessed in a mental status test. Insight is the ability to see that there is a problem, while judgement is the ability to make an informed decision based on information. Both are affected by various mental health conditions such as depression and schizophrenia. A person who isn't able to see or judgment is more likely to harm themselves or others. For instance when they are in danger of destroying their home and they have a good sense of judgement, it would be wise for them to leave the house immediately. A person with impaired judgment may suggest that they stay in the house to try to put out the flame.
Thought content is the topics, subjects and beliefs that a patient holds. Examiners will evaluate the clarity, relevance and the content of the thoughts of the patient. They will take note of any thoughts that are circumstantial or tangential or thoughts, and also if the patient has flights of thoughts (digressions from the subject of conversation). They will also comment on the speed at which someone is thinking, such as whether they seem to be more or less fast.
Other important areas to consider are whether the patient's thoughts are and in tune with their surroundings. A patient with depression might hear angry voices, whereas those suffering from schizophrenia might experience a hallucination that a soothing voice is speaking. The patient should also be asked about any homicidal or suicidal ideation. These are uncommon, but could be life-threatening and should be considered in every mental health assessment.
Watching
A nurse's observation skills are crucial in the mental health assessment. They involve a thorough evaluation of behavior, appearance and any unusual beliefs or perceptions (such hallucinations or delusions) and mood cognition (including memory, attention and orientation). A mental health assessment for nursing also includes observing motility, including any physical movement such as eating, drinking, brushing teeth, using the toilet and putting on shoes.
The Observation element of the mental state examination is a crucial aspect of determining whether a patient may pose the risk to themselves or others. This is accomplished by determining whether or not the patient is acting in a manner that suggests that they may be threatening to harm themselves or anyone else.
In addition, a detailed thought content assessment is made by monitoring the patient throughout the interview and determining their preoccupations. It is particularly important to determine if a patient is having suicidal or homicidal thoughts and to determine if they're experiencing thoughts of suicide or delusions.
A global assessment of functioning (GAF) is an evaluation of the numerical value on a scale ranging from zero to 100 that evaluates the ability of a person to function in everyday life and their ability to deal with the stressors in their life. The GAF is a crucial component of the mental state examination and helps guide the treatment decisions.
It is essential to be aware of the fact that observing a patient's behaviour could cause anxiety, and it is important that the procedure is carried out in a manner that does not provoke the patient or make them feel intrusive. It is essential that the patient is aware of the reason for the observations and the length of the procedure.
Nursing observation is a vital skill that should be at the heart of any nursing process. It is essential to remember that patients may disagree about the degree of observation. If they are unable to reach a consensus with staff members, they should be able to use an advocate service to represent their interests and assist in any discussions regarding their treatment. This should be an integral part of the local policy and practice, with the involvement of user groups to ensure that patients are a part in the creation of written information as well as staff training to support this aspect of governance in the clinic.
Questioning
Many people are hesitant to talk about their mental health issues, but family members are often able to discern when something isn't right. They can also urge the person to take a look at an assessment. These tests can cover a wide range of topics, including mood, appearance and thought process. A mental health professional can also inquire about the person's private life. They will ask them what they have been feeling and what's happened in the last few days.
The assessment includes an evaluation of the cognitive capacity that focuses on a person's ability think clearly and retain information. The test subject may require the person to complete basic tasks, such as focussing on a list or objects, memorizing lists or completing math problems. The test can also be used to assess the individual's judgment and ability to make good choices. The assessment determines a patient's awareness, which is the understanding of their condition and how it affects them.
The attitude of the patient towards himself, others and the illness is also an important aspect of a mental assessment. The tone of voice, facial expressions and body language can indicate anger, hostility, depression or a sense of insecurity. It is crucial to determine whether the patient seems to seek help or accepting their condition.
In more serious instances the evaluation of mental health might include a look at the patient's mental state that may include hallucinations or illusions. These conditions can be dangerous and even deadly.
A mental health assessment should be holistic and examine the person's interactions with their environment. A health professional could use images, music, art or a variety of assessment tools using electronic technology to help the person understand themselves and their unique view of the world around them. They should also talk with the person about the issues that led them to seek help and reassure them that there is nothing wrong with visiting a mental health professional.