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. 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.