Psychiatry and Mental Health

Assessment questions 1. In your own works briefly define the difference between a voluntary patient and one detained under the Mental Health Act 1993. A voluntary patient is one that makes the decision and is capable of making the decision to seek treatment in a centre, and is able to leave if they decide to. An patient detained under the mental health Act 1993, the decision to access treatment is made by other authorised individuals such as medical offers and police due to the person being unable to make that decision. 2. When admitted to an open or closed mental health unit, every client provides a urine sample for testing of illicit drugs such as marihuana, amphetamines and opiates. Explain why this happens and your responsibility as an Enrolled Nurse in this situation.

To determine if a person’s behaviour is the result of using illicit drugs or is a contributing factor to a dual diagnosis. The use of drugs increases risk of mental illness, cannabis increases the risk of depression and schizophrenia later in life.

The treatment of a person with substance abuse requires treatment of withdraw from the drugs and problems associated with it, denial, ineffective coping, low self-esteem, as well as the mental health condition. The role of an EN would be to work under the supervision of a RN in a mental health assessment and recording data, consisting of two parts, psychiatric history and mental state exam. (Implement and monitor care for consumers with a mental health condition, P.53,73)

3. Research ‘case management’ and define the main characteristics of this approach and its differences from other patterns of nursing care. A case manager is a mental health professional employed by a community mental health service. Their responsibility is to look after your interests while you are a client of public (government) mental health services. The act on your behalf to make sure you get the best service you need to recover. (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) The assessments differ from other nursing assessments. * A mental state examination * A physical examination * Assessment of need for services (www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au) But also contain some simular assessments but are targeted at the mental health of a person not just their physical health. 4. (a) Using the ANMC Code of Professional Conduct for Nurses in Australia define your role as an Enrolled Nurse in protecting the cultural values and beliefs of an individual.
Nurses respect the dignity, culture, ethnicity, values and beliefs of people receiving care and treatment, and of their colleges.
(www.anmc.org.au)

(b) What would you do if the cultural values and beliefs of a client allowed euthanasia for a client who is suicidally depressed? Consider the law, is it legal in this state, is the person able to make that decision. It is not for me to judge another person’s beliefs and values but to respect them. (c) What are some of the issues you would consider when admitting a client from another culture to a mental health facility? * Communication, do they need an interpreter * Diet, do they have special dietary requirements * Religion * Family, what is their role in the family