Neeb’s Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing

N eeb’s Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing is a psychiatric nursing text tailored specifically to the needs of the LVN/LPN student. We understand that many students at this level of preparation do not have the opportunity for clinical experience in a psychiatric setting, but they will encounter patients with mental health issues in their rotations. Students will encounter patients and their families with psychiatric diagnoses as well as a variety of psychosocial issues and behaviors that challenge them. This text will provide the basic knowledge and skills to address many of these challenges, with an emphasis on communication. This new edition also brings enhancements via the Internet through DavisPlus. Our goal with this text is to provide basic information about mental health theories, personality development, coping and communication styles, psychiatric diagnoses, and nursing actions, all as they pertain to the practice of the LVN/LPN. The impact of psychiatric disorders continues to be a concern in the United States. Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and substance abuse continue to be major health problems. How society responds to debilitating mental illness has been the subject of much debate. Clearly the need for nurses to have education in caring for people with mental health issues is essential. The Fourth Edition of Neeb’s Fundamentals of Mental Health Nursing brings new authors who have expanded on the foundations that Kathy Neeb created so successfully in the first three editions. The new authors bring broad experience in psychiatric nursing, education, and clinical practice. New chapters in this Fourth Edition include postpartum issues as well as separate chapters on depressive and bipolar disorders. We have added more features to enhance the concepts and make them more meaningful and current. Chapters 1 to 9 provide the basics of mental health nursing concepts, with an emphasis on communication. Chapters 10 to 22 are “clinical” chapters in that they cover specific diagnoses and/or populations. Many of the chapters include the following new or enhanced key features: • Neeb’s Tip will give a “clinical pearl” that succinctly describes a key take-away from the chapter. • Critical Thinking Questions are expanded and interspersed in the chapters to emphasize a concept and challenge the student to apply the concept just covered. Many of these include case-based scenarios. • Toolbox provides additional resources for students who want more information. These can be further explored on the book’s Web site. • Pharmacology Corner in Chapters 10 to 20 and 22 covers important current information about medications used for the specific population that will pertain to the LVN/LPN scope of practice. • Clinical Activities are suggestions for the student to utilize when caring for patients with a particular disorder. • Classroom Activities include suggestions for projects or actions that students and faculty can use in the classroom to enhance learning. • Case Studies are in-depth, with questions to help the student apply knowledge learned in the chapter. • Multiple Choice Questions—At least 10 questions are provided at the end of the chapters, with the answers/rationales in Appendix A. Additional NCLEX questions are on the book’s Web site. • Sample Care Plans are provided in the clinical chapters. • Appendix E, which is new, matches common behaviors with nursing diagnoses.