Module 2 Concepts of Mental Health Nursing
Learning Guide
Chapter 1
1. How did the Age of Enlightenment in Europe significantly change the way mentally
ill persons were viewed and treated?
2. What is the concept of “asylum” and how has this influenced care of the mentally ill?
3. How has the development of psychotropic drugs influenced mental health care both
positively and negatively?
4. How did the actual results of legislation enacted on behalf of the mentally ill in the
1960’s differ from the original intention of this legislation?
5. How have economic factors since the middle of the 20th century affected care of the
mentally ill?
6. How has psychiatric nursing’s role and the education of psychiatric nurses changed
from the Period of Enlightenment to the Decade of the Brain and beyond?
7.How is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV TR) used?
Chapter 2
1. Describe the 3 elements of Psychotherapeutic Management.
a. How does the role of the psychiatric nurse address each of these elements?
2. What is the concept of a continuum of mental health care?
a. How does the treatment team function within this continuum?
3. What are major characteristics of hospital-based psychiatric care?
a. What is the major focus of inpatient mental health care?
b. How does this focus affect the nurse’s role and priorities?
4. Differentiate various types of outpatient services and who is an appropriate candidate
for each of these types of services.
Chapter 4
1. What case is the basis for the legal concept of Duty to Warn? In what type of
situation would this principle be invoked to guide decision-making?
2. How do the common torts of violation of confidentiality, malpractice, negligence,
assault, battery and false imprisonment apply within mental health care? Give examples.
3. Differentiate between voluntary and involuntary commitment.
a. What are the types of involuntary commitments and what is the maximum time a
person may be held under each type?
4. What is a patient’s right to the Least Restrictive Environment in mental health
treatment?
5.. How does confidentiality of patient information apply within mental health settings?
6.. What are nursing implications and legal guidelines for the nurse in supporting a
patient’s right to freedom from restraints and seclusion?
7.. When can a person receiving mental health services legally refuse treatment? When
can this right be suspended?
Chapter 6
1. What is the Therapeutic Use of Self in psychiatric nursing?
2.. Identify communication techniques that foster description.
3. Identify communication techniques that foster analysis and conclusion.
4. Identify communication techniques that help to interpret meaning and importance of a
patient’s communication.
5. Identify communication techniques that support problem solving and decision making.
6. Identify communication techniques that help a patient complete plans.
7. How do a nurse’s fears, thoughts and feelings affect therapeutic communication with
patients?
Chapter 7
1. How does the nurse collaborating with a patient in developing the treatment plan assist
the patient to progress?
2. What is the difference between providing psychotherapy and a nurse being
therapeutic?
3. How might being in a psychiatric care setting affect what takes place in each stage of
a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship?