Mental Health Nursing IMental Health Nursing INURS 1300NURS 1300

Unit VIUnit VIAbuse Related DisordersAbuse Related Disorders

Objective 1Define substance abuse

Substance abuse is the overindulgence in, and

dependence on, a psychoactive material leading to effects that

are detrimental to the individual’s physical or mental health, or the welfare of others

Objective 2List the risk factors for substance

abuse Family or work conflict Family history Poor coping skills Favorable attitudes toward

substance abuse Peer pressure Personality or psychiatric disorder

Objective 3State the factors present in the

substance abuser Giving up past activities Work or school conflicts Aggressiveness and irritability Forgetfulness Feelings of hopelessness, depression, and

suicidal thoughts Frequent hangovers and “blackouts” Pressuring others to drink Legal trouble Drug paraphernalia

Objective 4List the major drugs that are

abused Alcohol Stimulants Depressants Hallucinogens Narcotics Inhalants Designer drugs

Objective 5Compare the symptoms of alcohol

abuse and drug abuse

Alcohol Physically addicting Distortions in thinking

Stimulants Psychological dependence Euphoria followed by profound

depression & sense of exhaustion Irritability, combativeness, &

paranoia

Depressants Physical dependency Sedation Impaired coordination

Narcotics Pleasant euphoria Feeling of immunity to stressors

Hallucinogens Dream-like perceptions Altered sense of time Feelings that one has attained

special insight Intensified & labile emotions Depersonalization

Inhalants Produces mind-altering response

Objective 6List treatments for the client who

abuses

Inpatient hospitalization for detox

Medications Antabuse Methadone Catapres Narcan

Objective 6 (cont’d)

Support groups Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Al-Anon groups for family of abusers

Aftercare and recovery Partial day programs Halfway houses

Objective 7Describe nursing care for the

substance abuser

Physical assessment vital signs symptom scale

Medication administration Patient teaching

actions and consequences Provision of adequate hydration

and nutrition Reassurance and support for

anxiety Relapse prevention

Objective 8Define abuse and victim

Abuse is a general term for the use or treatment of someone or something that causes some kind of harm or is unlawful or wrong.

A victim is one who is harmed by or made to suffer from an act, circumstance, agency, or condition.

Objective 9Differentiate among different

kinds of abuse Sexual abuse Physical abuse Verbal abuse Emotional abuse Child abuse Incest Spousal abuse Elder abuse

Objective 9 (cont’d)Sexual abuse = improper use of another

person for sexual purposes, generally without their consent or under physical or psychological pressure

Physical abuse = when one person inflicts physical violence or pain on another

Verbal abuse = when a person uses profanity or says things that threaten or make a person feel scared

Emotional abuse = coercion, humiliation, intimidation, relational aggression, parental alienation, or covert incest

Objective 9 (cont’d)

Child abuse = abuse, usually physical, emotional or sexual, directed at a child

Incest = sexual activity between close family members

Spousal abuse = abuse, usually physical or psychological, directed at one’s spouse

Elder abuse = abuse, most often physical or in the form of psychological threats, directed at the elderly, especially in nursing homes and similar institutions

Objective 10Compare characteristics of an

abuser and the victim

Characteristics of an abuser Jealousy Controlling behavior Quick involvement Isolation Blames others for feelings Cruelty to animals Hostility while drinking Breaking or striking objects when

angry Threats of violence Use of force during an argument

Characteristics of a victim

Blames self for violence or harmful acts

Dependent on abuser wants to be controlled feels need to be taken care of

Poor self-image Expects abuser to change Returns to abuser after assault(s) Makes excuses for abuser Defends abuser’s actions

Objective 11Identify nursing care to help

survivors of abuse Assess client for possible abuse history Provide abuse hotline phone numbers Remove client from hostile situation Refer client to community resources Treat client for depression, anxiety,

and suicidal thoughts Provide supportive, nurturing

environment to discuss feelings

Objective 12Identify situations that constitute

elder abuse

Objective 12 (cont’d) Physical abuse

injury impairment physical pain threat of physical force inappropriate use of chemical and

physical restraints rough handling

providing care moving the body administering medication

Objective 12 (cont’d)

Emotional abuse psychological verbal isolating the elder from family, friends,

and/or regular activities treating the elder like an infant

Neglect or abandonment of elders by caregivers

Financial exploitation of an elder

Objective 12 (cont’d)

Self-neglect by elder leaving the stove on unattended denying or ignoring need for food,

water, hygiene, safety, or medications Sexual abuse of the elderly

showing the elder pornographic material telling dirty jokes

Healthcare fraud or healthcare abuse of the elderly

Objective 13Know the procedures as stated in

Nebraska law for reporting suspected abuse

See Report of Abuse handout