A psychiatric nurse's role

1. Homelessness in America is a result of complex social, political, and economic forces; approximately one third to one half of the homeless have severe emotional problems. 2. The person with chronic mental illness who is also homeless will face numerous obstacles when the need for psychiatric care arises. 2. The person with chronic mental illness who is also homeless will face numerous obstacles when the need for psychiatric care arises. 3. The federal government is beginning to address the problems of the homeless chronically mentally ill population by establishing pilot programs in Veterans Administration hospitals. 4. The psychiatric nurse is in a unique position to provide services to those who are homeless and mentally ill.     

Dysphagia in psychiatric patients

1. Psychiatric patients in acute and long-term care settings may be at high risk for dysphagia and its sequelae. 2. The prevalence of dysphagia in the psychiatric population is higher than commonly believed. 3. Routine screening is essential for the safety and management of psychiatric patients at risk for dysphagia.     

Treating the disconfirmed psychiatric client

Frequent disconfirmation behaviors have been documented in psychiatric clients. Individuals who demonstrate maladaptive patterns of disconfirmation can learn to understand and modify this dysfunctional sequence. Through one to one interactions and group discussions, psychiatric nurses can help clients learn more positive communication behaviors. This accomplishment will positively affect the client's interpersonal responsiveness and self-esteem.     

Clinicians' fallacies in psychiatric practice

Eleven common clinicians' fallacies have been briefly described. Based on experience, the authors of this article believe these are the most common and pernicious ones in interdisciplinary psychiatric treatment. These patterns may lead to erroneous interdisciplinary treatment decisions for many patients. In order to protect the well-being of psychiatric patients, their families, and the integrity of interdisciplinary treatment teams, it behooves each and every team member to become knowledgeable about clinicians' fallacies. Those aware of clinician's fallacies will reason more soundly basing judgments on empirical evidence, careful observation, measurement, and a determination not to be influenced by emotional appeals.     

The latex allergic psychiatric patient

Latex allergy is an immune system illness affecting an increasing number of individuals. People with latex allergy often experience anxiety and fear about real and potential exposure to products containing natural rubber latex. Nurses working in acute care and general medical-surgical areas are more likely to be aware of this emerging illness than nurses working on a psychiatric unit. The nature of latex allergy and the immune system response are described in this article. People with latex allergy may react when they are exposed to latex allergens or specific foods. This article identifies nursing interventions and describes those appropriate for people with anxiety or fear responses. Patients with latex allergy can be managed when nursing staff understand both the medical and psychiatric aspects of care.     

Clinical supervision for psychiatric nurses

Supervision does not represent merely the acquisition of facts. It is an emotionally charged process that touches on therapists' affective problems, interpersonal conflicts, problems in being helped, and problems in helping (Ekstein). As such, it is a process similar to, but not the same as, psychotherapy. Supervision is necessary for continued professional growth, no matter how skilled the nurse may be. Other mental health disciplines have long accepted supervision as an essential component of professional work. A number of methods can be used to review the therapist's work, including case material discussion, conjoint interviewing, direct observation, and review of mechanical recordings. This can be done individually, in groups, or among peers. A supervisor can be a senior clinician from any of the mental health disciplines. The nurse should not be limited to receiving supervision only from other nurses. Periodic evaluations of the supervisory relationship as well as the therapist's skills are recommended. Supervision is a valuable tool that the nurse therapist should use fully to develop the professional self.