University Nursing Assignment: Mental Health and Peter's Case Study

This assignment, based on a clinical scenario involving a 45-year-old electrician named Peter experiencing anxiety, explores key aspects of mental health nursing. It begins by differentiating between Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Panic Disorder, highlighting their symptoms and severity. The assignment then delves into the importance of therapeutic relationships, emphasizing the role of empathy in building trust and facilitating effective communication with patients like Peter. Furthermore, it examines various communication techniques essential for mental health nurses, including active listening and non-verbal cues. Finally, the assignment addresses the pharmacological treatment of anxiety, specifically focusing on the antidepressant Paroxetine, discussing its considerations, dosage, potential side effects, and the importance of patient education. The assignment demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of mental health nursing principles and their practical application in patient care.

Running head: MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

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Question 1:
Introduction:
General anxiety disorder and panic disorder are both anxiety disorder and disturbs the
physical and mental well-being of the individual (Cuijpers et al., 2016). However, there is a fine
difference between the two disorders which is discussed in the essay.
Discussion:
General anxiety disorder is stated to cause excessive worry, which disrupts the normal
standard living. The individual suffering from this order tends to worry pervasively which
becomes difficult to control and becomes unmanageable. The physical symptoms observed in the
case of individual suffering from GAD includes, insomnia, fatigue, muscle tension, restlessness
and irritability (Lader, 2015). It interrupts the individual's ability to perform day to day activities.
Apart from the physical symptoms other symptoms which are observed includes, excessive
worrying, loss of concentration, overthinking regarding worst case outcomes, difficulty in
handling situation, fear of making the wrong decision all time. They perceive normal situations
as threatening even if they are not. Panic disorder is also somewhat similar to that of the general
anxiety disorder but is more severe than that of the general anxiety disorder as it is associated
with panic attacks, which can give rise to severe symptoms.
In the case of panic disorder, recurrent and unexpected panic attacks are often observed.
The panic attacks also occurs in the absence of any actual danger (Milrod et al., 2016).
According to the diagnostic and statistical manual for mental disorder, panic disorder is
considered as the sudden onset of the intense fear which can give rise to several pernicious signs

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and symptoms which include increased heart rate, excessive sweating, shaking or trembling,
shortness of breathing, chest pain, numbness and fear of death (Bovin et al., 2016). Therefore
panic disorder is more intense and harmful than that of the general anxiety disorder which is the
only and major difference between the panic disorder and the general anxiety disorder. General
anxiety disorder is also not considered under the DSMIV as it is not associated with any kind of
attacks which can lead to more adverse outcomes.
Conclusion:
From the above essay, it can be concluded that general anxiety disorder and panic
disorder is different from each other. By critically reviewing both anxiety disorder, it xan be
stated that the major difference between the two is severity that is the person suffering from
panic disorder have chances of getting panic attack which is more harmful than the symptoms
observed in the case if general anxiety disorder
Question 2:
Introduction:
Therapeutic relationship in the healthcare care setting is considered as one of the most
important aspects that can enhance the patient outcomes as well as patient experience (Newman
et al., 2015). To maintain an effective therapeutic relationship with the patient several methods
are applied by the nurses, one among them is empathy which is discussed in the essay. The essay
includes the role of empathy in maintaining an effective therapeutic relationship with peter in
order to provide improvise the treatment procedure.

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Discussion:
Therapeutic relationship in the nursing is crucial for the appropriate treatment of the
patient. It helps the nurse to make the care plan of the patient according to the needs, as patient
centered has been proved to increase the health outcomes of the patient (Zugai, Stein-Parbury &
Roche, 2015) To maintain an efficient therapeutic relationship, nurse use different tools with the
aid of effective communication. Empathy is also considered as an important aspect in nursing
that helps them to maintain therapeutic relationship. Empathy is considered as the magical
emotion which will assist peter to identify the feelings which need to suppress (Reynolds, 2017).
It is frequently observed that the patient suffering from any anxiety disorder refuse to share their
feelings due to fear of getting judged as a crazy individual. In this case, peter is suffering from
general anxiety disorder due to which he overthinks of the unrealistic situation. Empathy will
help the nurse to make him more comfortable with the health care setting and the environment so
that he can share his feelings without the fear of getting judged. One of the major concern related
with the general anxiety disorder is the fear of doing wrong which can be managed through
effective counselling therapy. By empathizing peter, nurse should make him believe nothing
wrong is going to happen with him. Using empathy as a tool, nurse will make him understand
that they are able to understand his perception and conditions from which is going through. As
making comfortable with the nurse and the health care environment, is the most important to
establish a therapeutic relationship with the patient.
Conclusion
To conclude, empathy helps the nurses and the other healthcare staff who are involved in
the patient care to get more information regarding the needs and preferences of the patient. In

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this case with the aid of empathy, nurse tried to arouse Peter's feeling and emotional to make
therapeutic relationship with him.
Question 3:
Introduction :
Communication in the mental health nursing is often used to maintain a therapeutic
professional relationship with the patient suffering from any mental illness. There are different
types of communication skill is used by the nurse to gather more information from the patient in
order to deliver the appropriate treatment (Furnes, Kvaal & Høye, 2018). The essay includes the
types of communication skill that is used by the nurse while interviewing peter.
Discussion:
In the mental health nursing communication is considered as one of the most efficient
strategies to assess the mental condition of the patient. by reviewing the case study of peter, it is
evident that the person is suffering from extreme mental pressure which if not treated in the
given time it can lead to depression. Hence, in order to avoid that different communication skill
should be used by the nurse while interviewing the patient.
During interview both the verbal and non-verbal communication should be used by the
nurse to make the patient comfortable with the setting. Listening is one of the most applicable
tool which should be used by the nurse (Varcarolis, 2016). It makes the patient believe that the
nurse is interested in listening to their pain and concern. The nurse should accept peter’s words
without interfering in the middle or jump to any conclusion as it might hinder the communication
process and the patient also might feel judged and will not share his feelings and perception

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further. She should communicate in a straight forward manner and should stick to one point at
time in order to any confusion from the patient side. As asking too many questions at a time, can
pressurize the patient mentally (Williams, Ilten & Bower, 2016). The nurse should restate what
the patient has said to ensure their concern (Sreevani, 2016). Apart from these the nurse should
use non-verbal communication skill such as, making had gestures and facial expression to ensure
the patient that we understand their concern. With the aid of the mentioned communication skill
nurse will be able to gather more information of the patient which can be used for the appropriate
care of the patient.
Conclusion:
From the essay, it is concluded that distinctive communication skill have different effects
on the patent suffering from illness. In the essay, it is evident that by using different
communication skill such as, giving recognition, accepting, listening the efficiency of the
interview can be increased and more relevant information can be gathered.
Question 4:
Introduction
Paroxetine 20 mg is an antidepressant which has been prescribed to peter in order to treat
his anxiety disorder (Kanekar et al., 2018). This essay includes the consideration and the other
information that is passed to peter about the medication in order to enhance the health outcomes
of the patient.

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Discussion:
Paroxetine is an antidepressant which is usually prescribed by the general practitioner to
the patient suffering from any kind of anxiety disorder. Parotexine is a serotonin reuptake
inhibitor (SSRI), hence if it is administered in the patient suffering from any anxiety illness, level
of serotonin which is also referred to as the chemical messenger of brain is increased which help
in the mood enhancement of the patients and reduces the risk of depression (Davis et al., 2016).
Hence to prevent the risk of further harm, Paroxetine 20 mg have been prescribed to peter as it
can affects the chemicals which leads to depression in patient.
In order to avoid any medication error which can increase the risk of harm in patient, it is
important to educate the patient about the consideration of medication, appropriate dose and side
effects. Peter should be educated that, he should not exceed or minimize the dose of the
medication without consulting the practitioner as it can lead to adverse effect on his health.
Peter is educated about its mode of administration that is orally without having food as if
the medication is taken with food it can lead to nausea. Apart from this, he is also enquired of
any other medication he is currently relying on, as if Paroxetine is taken along with any other
anti- depressant it can harm him.
Peter is also educated about the side effects of paroxeritine 20 mg which includes, Muted
sexual desire, Vomiting, Delayed ejaculation, Orthostatic hypotension, Nausea, Weight gain,
Dryness in mouth, Restlessness and Stomach upset (Metzger et al., 2017). By the help of this, he
can report to the general practitioner if he observed any such side effects after the administration
of medication.

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Conclusion
From the above essay it is concluded that educating the patient about the consideration of
the medication is essential as it aid to avoid risk of further harm in patient. In addition to that, it
also helps in better management of the treatment procedure. Peter is educated about the mode of
administration, dose and side effects and other essential facts that can avoid any further
complications.

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