General Nursing Interventions for the Mental Health Client

Forming a one-to-one relationship with the client
  • It will help the client to enhance communication, problem solving, and social skills.
  • Coping skills and trust in relationships may be learned or enhanced.
  • The nurse who establishes this relationship needs to be clear about its purpose and provide positive interaction with the client.
  • Establishment of a specific meeting time, expectations for interaction, and the duration of therapy are important boundaries to establish.
Constructive Feedback
  • Given to the client so that the client’s self-esteem will not be compromised.
  • When the confrontation technique is used, the nurse needs to discuss the discrepancies between the client’s verbalized intensions and non-verbal behavior carefully, without appearing to be attacking the client.
Trust
  • Essential to establish a therapeutic relationship.
  • Consistency is the key.
  • If the nurse cannot meet with client at an appointed time, the client must be informed at the earliest possible time.
  • A new meeting time is scheduled.
  • Direct communication is essential for the building of a therapeutic relationship.
  • Other factors that facilitate trust within the nurse/client relationship include:
    1. Recognizing the client’s feelings.
    2. Honesty
    3. Respect for the client
    4. Non-judgmental attitude
Emphasize Positive Results
  • Do not argue with the client.
  • Recognize that the client is experiencing pain but do not dwell on that pain.
Assessment
  • Critical of their behavior at the time of admission or initial treatment. Reassessment is indicated at appropriate intervals.
  • The client must also learn how to self-monitor his or her symptoms.
  • This communicates to the client that he or she is respected and can control his or her symptoms.
Safety
  • The primary concern.
  • The client may require protection interventions; these must be provided in a safe manner with respect for the client.
  • The milieu may need to be evaluated for safety
Environment
  • Provide privacy and time with decreased stimuli.
  • It should be a calm environment in which the client feels safe from psychological and physical threats.
Physical needs
  • Intricately related to psychological function.
  • Ensure that the client’s nutritional, fluid, sleep, hygiene, activities of daily leaving, and exercise needs are met.
Treatment planning
  • The client should encourage to participate in every planning.
Medications
  • Approach the confused or combative client in a calm, firm manner when administering client.
  • Restrains or the assistance of another care provider may be necessary for injections.
  • Ensure that the client takes medications and is not hoarding pills.
  • Client will need to learn about his or her medications and hot to maintain this treatment without direct staff supervision.
Education
  • Very important throughout treatment.
Discharge planning
  • Begins with the client is admitted, whether it is in the hospital, home care, or any other treatment program.
  • The family must be involved in the process to become successful.