Assignment Task
It is expected that as a student you will develop an ability to observe consumer behaviour and accurately document those observations as findings on the Mental Status Examination (MSE) and risk screening tool in the correct assessment categories using the correct terminology. You will also develop patient focused documentation skills in reporting the identified MSE and risk assessment findings concisely and accurately within the nursing report. From your findings, it is also expected that you will be able to identify symptoms about the client and consequently be able to develop mental health nursing-specific interventions to assist the client.
Rationale for assessment task
Assessment is one of the most important and fundamental skills of the mental health nurse and form a key part of the mental health nursing role. Through assessment, the mental health nurse develops an understanding of the consumer, formulates a plan of care, and contributes to the decision-making of the multidisciplinary teams. Additionally, undertaking assessments is an important means of connecting with the consumer to commence the process of developing a therapeutic relationship. Assessments performed in the mental health care setting, which can be consumer or health care centred, is the first step of the nursing process and is ongoing over the time that the consumer is engaged with mental health care (Evans et al., 2017, p. 519). This process is systematic and organized, to ensure that the mental health nurse critically thinks and documents data, to implement and evaluate the individualized healthcare need of the consumer in their care. Continuity of patient care is achieved by the clear and concise transfer of patient clinical information from one healthcare provider to another during handover. Effective communication is a vital factor in providing safe patient care. Standardized assessment tools used can be formal or semi-formal and include the mental state examination (MSE) and clinical risk assessment, however, there are numerous other tools incorporated to collect data in the clinical setting.
Objective
- Explain clinical manifestations associated with the major mental health disorders.
- Apply evidence-based interventions that inform the development of targeted treatment planning across the lifespan of the consumer, including culturally diverse consumers.
- Analyse and apply the principles of the Recovery process in delivering specific care for consumers living with mental illness and supporting carers and significant other’s needs.
- Explain the importance of mental health legislation, the rights of mental health consumers, cultural diversity, and the legislative implications for nursing practice.
- Effectively communicate with consumers, including Indigenous populations, to accurately assess mental state and risk parameters using standardized mental health assessment forms.
