This is when a patient no longer needs to receive in-patient care and can go home on medication under the authorization of the medical team.
This is the process of gathering information about a patient’s physical, mental and social state. These pieces of information could be obtained from the patient, relative(s) or significant others.
This is the face to face interaction between the nurse and a patient for the purpose of obtaining or giving information. It is one of the methods/tools used by nurses to assess the feelings, perceptions, thoughts and attitudes of the psychiatric patient. This procedure can also be used to interview the hypoactive patients (e.g. severely depressed, catatonic stuporous patients etc.). These patients demonstrate very slow interaction and thus require extended periods to answer even simple questions. The nurse must understand that the slow responses of these patients is not intentional and he/she should not be frustrated by the slow progress of the interview.
This is the face to face interaction between the nurse and the patient who frequently has intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situation for the purpose of obtaining or giving information. It is one of the methods/tools used by nurses to assess the feelings, perceptions, thoughts and attitudes of the anxious patient and to evaluate care given.
This is an interaction between the nurse and the patient who is either angry or extremely excited for the purpose of obtaining or giving information. It is one of the methods/tools used by nurses to assess the feelings, perceptions, thoughts and attitudes of the aggressive and elated/overactive patient.
This is a clinical assessment process that is used to observe and describe a patient’s psychological functioning at a given point in time. It involves the systematic gathering of the patient’s subjective and objective information.
This is a process of introducing a patient to the ward environment by the nurse to assist patient familiarise or adapt himself/herself to the ward.
This is a process of building a therapeutic relationship with the patient while on admission. It makes the patient feel comfortable in disclosing his/her needs to the nurse and other health team members.
This is the act of meeting the daily nutritional requirement of a patient who is less active, withdrawn and retarded. The food served should be a balanced/nutrient dense diet.
This is the act of meeting the daily nutritional requirement of a hypoactive patient through the gastric/nasogastric tube. It is usually carried out in instances where the psychiatric patient refuses food/unable to swallow safely.
This is the act of meeting the daily nutritional requirement of a hyperactive/overactive patient. The food served should be a balanced/nutrient dense diet since the patient is usually on the run. Although he/she may have good appetite, he/she does not have time to settle and eat even when hungry.
N/A
This is the act of removing hair from the face of a patient using a shaving device (electronic/disposable).
This is the act of removing hair from the armpit and pubic area of a patient using a shaving device (electronic/disposable).
This is the act of washing/cleansing the body of a patient who does not have the physical and mental capability of self-bathing and is confined to bed. Hypoactive patients are usually less active, withdrawn and retarded.
This is the act of helping the hyperactive/overactive patient to wash/clean himself/herself.
This is the act of helping a patient who lacks the drive to carry out self-care activities.
This is the act of assisting an excited patient to clean and maintain his/her oral hygiene. Mouth care is an essential activity of daily living.
The act of shampooing a patient’s hair to get rid of dirt and excess oils and make them feel relaxed on the ward. Hair care is an essential activity of daily living.
The method of ridding the hair of lice on the head (pediculosis capitis). Hair lice is one of the common ectoparasitic infestation of the psychiatric patient that causes a lot of itching and discomfort.
The method of ridding the hair of lice under the armpit (pediculus corporis) and on the pubis (pediculus pubis). Hair lice is one of the common ectoparasitic infestation of the psychiatric patient that causes a lot of itching and discomfort.
This is the method of maintaining hands and feet hygiene of the psychiatric patient. It involves the trimming and upkeep of patient’s finger and toe nails as well. The hands are easily contaminated and the feet are considered to be the least clean area, therefore it is important for the nurse to maintain hands and feet hygiene of the patient while on admission.
The process of moving a patient from one unit/ward to another within the same facility or from one facility to another to improve upon the existing management of the patient. This is usually carried out by the order of the Psychiatrist/Medical Officer.
This is the act of reporting an in-patient who leaves the ward/hospital unexpectedly without the authority/knowledge of the Nurse(s)/Psychiatrist/Hospital Administrator. Absconding is a major issue of mental health safety concern due to the potential risk of patient harming self or others when he/she leaves the hospital environment without full recovery.
This is the act of inspecting a patient’s head and hair to identify any abnormalities. The inspection of head and hair is an essential part of physical assessment carried out on the psychiatric patient.
This is the process of helping a psychiatric patient with inappropriate perception to gain an awareness of the symptoms and be in touch with reality. It involves the use of a sequence of psychological steps that the nurse can assist the patient use to organize and interpret information from the environment.
This is the process of teaching the patient and significant others to gain knowledge about his/her medication(s). This is to inform and remind them of proper ways to self-manage care and avoid non-essential re-admissions. Patient’s education on medication, should not be limited only to time of discharge but can also be carried out while the patient is still on admission.
This is the process by which the nurse assists the patient to gain knowledge and understanding of his/her disease process and potential treatment. Through this process, the nurse provides relevant information to the patient which might influence his/her mental health decisions, life choices or general behavoiur. Educating patient on his/her condition should not be limited to only the patient but extended to the patient’s relative(s)/ significant other(s).
This is the process by which the nurse administers/serves medication(s) in a tablet form through the mouth to an overactive patient. The administration of medicine is common but an important clinical procedure to treat and prevent illness.
This is the process by which the nurse administers/serves medication(s) in a tablet form through the mouth to a less active, withdrawn or retarded patient. The administration of a medicine is a common but important clinical procedure to treat and prevent illness.
This is the process by which the nurse administers/serves medication(s) in a liquid form through the mouth to an overactive patient. This is a common but important clinical procedure to treat and prevent illness.
This is the process by which the nurse administers/serves medication(s) in a liquid form through the mouth to a less active, withdrawn or retarded patient.
This is a form of psychotherapy in which a number of patients come together for discussion session to assist them improve their behavoiur and wellbeing by sharing their experiences and adopting appropriate behavoiur patterns. Group therapy is usually carried out under the guidance of a nurse/therapist. NB: Group therapy sessions should not be more than one (1) hour
This is a social therapy that uses leisure activities and other activity based approaches to assess and address the needs of the patient. It is to improve his/her psychological, physical health and wellbeing. This is usually facilitated by the nurse and interventions such as arts and crafts, playing of “ludo”, “oware”, cards, dance, video games, gardening etc. are used to help the patient.
This is a type of psychotherapy that is designed to help with issues that specifically affect families’ mental health and functioning. This include but not limited to marital issues, financial problems, conflict between parents and children, the impact of substance abuse or a mental illness on the entire family. This therapy basically involves the nurse, patient, family members and the relevant mental health team members.
This is a psychotherapeutic process by which one person with skills and ability helps another who has problems by purposeful interaction in an accepting and understanding atmosphere. This therapy basically involves the nurse, patient and the relevant mental health team members. In counselling, one should desist from giving advice but rather guide patient to explore and decide on what is best for him/her
This is a process carried out by nurses to assist patients adapt and familiarise themselves to the hospital environment. This can be done when the patient is settled or in his/her lucid interval.
This is a behavioral management intervention where a team of nursing staff place aggressive or violent patient under control where necessary. This is to prevent serious harm to himself/herself or others. Restrain should be used within the shortest possible time when all other interventions (de-escalation, crisis management strategies etc.) have failed to keep the patient and others safe.
This is the process whereby the nurse arranges and helps patient(s) to select and undertake O.T. activities. Occupational Therapy is any mental or physical activity that is medically prescribed or professionally guided to enhance patient’s vocational skills e.g. painting, sewing, farming, sculpturing etc., for the specific purpose of contributing to the recovery of the patient. It is given as an adjunct treatment to other forms of therapy for psychiatric patient(s). It can be done at the ward, the O.T. department or patient’s home.
This is the process of assisting a psychiatric patient who cannot tell what is real from what is imagined to gain an awareness of the symptoms and be in touch with reality. It involves the use of a sequence of psychological steps that the nurse can use to aid a patient to organize and interpret reality. This patient usually has unshakeable beliefs in something untrue despite the availability of clear evidence to the contrary.
This is a process where a nurse prepares a room in a manner appropriate for confinement and care of an acutely disturbed patient. Seclusion is the involuntary confinement of a patient alone in a room or area from which the patient is physically prevented from leaving. This is indicated for: destructive patient, situation of increasing agitation by environmental stimuli and control undesirable behaviour. It is essential that a patient in seclusion is closely observed and given proper care. This must be prescribed by the Doctor/Psychiatrist. Do not leave a patient in seclusion for more than twenty (20) minutes without observation or talking to him/her. Take patient out of seclusion room if he/she becomes more disturbed and ensure that at least two (2) nurses are available when the seclusion door is opened.
Electro-Convulsive Therapy is both psychological and physical treatment prescribed by the psychiatrist. The nurse initiates and prepares the patient for the procedure to ensure that he/she undergoes a safe ECT and avoid complications. ECT is often prescribed when other treatments are unsuccessful. ECT is indicated for severe depression, catatonic schizophrenia, post-partum psychosis etc.
These are activities organized and coordinated by the nurse to ensure the safety of the patient during the administration of ECT to prevent its complication and control side effects.
These are activities organized and coordinated by the nurse to ensure the safety of the patient following the administration of ECT to prevent its complication and control side effects.
This is the process of organizing the environment of a psychogeriatric patient by the nurse to minimize accident and other physical injuries. The psychogeriatric patient in addition to his/her cognitive impairment, also has physical problems (e.g. unsteady gait, poor eye sight, hearing defect etc.) which make him/her susceptible to accidents and injuries.
Admission is an act of allowing the patient/client to stay in the health facility for effective clinical management and rehabilitation.
This is the act of helping the less active, withdrawn and retarded patient to clean and maintain his/her oral hygiene. The hypoactive patient usually does not see the need to maintain his/her oral hygiene even though mouth care is an essential activity of daily living.