Title slide
The Nurse’s Role in Caring for Clients with Cognitive and/or Mental Health Issues
Target audience
Staff nurses, pre-licensure nursing students
Introduction
Cognitive and mental health conditions are highly prevalent, affecting millions of people worldwide. Nurses play a vital role in caring for these clients and their families.
This presentation will explore the nurse’s role in caring for clients with cognitive and/or mental health issues, including:
- The impact of cognitive and mental health conditions on individuals, families, and society
- The role of the nurse in providing safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care
- Interdisciplinary interventions for common cognitive and mental health conditions
Chosen cognitive/mental health illness: Schizophrenia
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition characterized by disturbances in thinking, perception, and behavior. People with schizophrenia may experience hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, and/or negative symptoms such as social withdrawal and apathy.
How is schizophrenia diagnosed?
Schizophrenia is diagnosed based on a psychiatric evaluation, which includes a review of the individual’s symptoms, medical history, and social history. There is no single medical test that can diagnose schizophrenia.
How is schizophrenia treated?
Schizophrenia is treated with a combination of medication and therapy. Antipsychotic medications are the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia. Therapy can help people with schizophrenia learn to manage their symptoms, develop coping skills, and improve their social functioning.
How does schizophrenia differ from a physical or “visible” illness?
Schizophrenia is a mental health condition, so it is not visible to the naked eye. This can make it difficult for others to understand and support people with schizophrenia. Additionally, the symptoms of schizophrenia can be unpredictable and disruptive, which can further isolate people with the condition.
Historical
The concept of schizophrenia has existed for centuries, but the term “schizophrenia” was first coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911. Bleuler described schizophrenia as a split or fragmentation of the mind.
Socioeconomic impact
Schizophrenia has a significant socioeconomic impact on individuals, families, and society. People with schizophrenia are more likely to experience poverty, unemployment, and homelessness. They are also more likely to be victims of crime and violence.
Political issues or impact
Mental health issues, including schizophrenia, are often stigmatized and overlooked in public policy discussions. This can lead to inadequate funding for mental health services and research.
Educational needs
People with schizophrenia and their families need access to education about the condition, including its symptoms, causes, treatment options, and coping strategies. Additionally, healthcare professionals need to be trained on how to provide culturally competent care to people with schizophrenia.
Topographical findings
Neuroimaging studies have shown that people with schizophrenia have structural and functional abnormalities in the brain. These abnormalities are thought to contribute to the symptoms of the condition.
Geographical impact
The prevalence of schizophrenia varies around the world. For example, schizophrenia is more common in urban areas than in rural areas.
Cultural impact
The experience of schizophrenia can vary depending on cultural factors. For example, some cultures may have more supportive attitudes towards people with mental health conditions than others.
Interdisciplinary interventions
The treatment of schizophrenia requires an interdisciplinary approach. This may include the following professionals:
- Psychiatrists
- Psychologists
- Social workers
- Occupational therapists
- Case managers
Impact of a patient’s value systems on management of this disease
A patient’s value systems can have a significant impact on the management of schizophrenia. For example, some patients may be reluctant to take medication due to religious or cultural beliefs. Other patients may resist therapy because they do not view mental illness as a legitimate health problem. It is important for nurses to be respectful of patients’ value systems and to work with them to develop treatment plans that are consistent with their beliefs.
Conclusion
Nurses play a vital role in caring for clients with cognitive and/or mental health issues. By providing safe, compassionate, and evidence-based care, nurses can help clients to manage their symptoms, improve their functioning, and live full and productive lives.
