Nursing Component Task
Nursing procedures & clinical learning

Community Mental Health Nursing (RCMN)

EDUCATING THE CLIENT WITH MENTAL DISORDER AT HOME ON HIS/HER CONDITION

This is a process where the RCPN teaches and gives information on the client's condition. This is to enlighten the client on the causes, signs, symptoms and management of the disease.

Purpose

  • Ensure client has insight into the condition and adhere to the treatment regimen
  • Prevent relapse
  • Boost confidence
  • Understand effects of medication and its complications

Indications

  • Teaching a client with mental disorder at home about his or her condition.
  • Ensuring the client has insight into the condition and adheres to the treatment regimen.
  • Understanding the effects of medication and its complications.

Equipment

  • A Well-Equipped home visit bag (refer to content)
  • Community Map and or GhanaPost Global Positions System (GPS)
  • Manual/electronic area register/ records of the group
  • Means of Transportation
  • Teaching learning materials e.g. diagrams, flyers, projectors, videos etc.

Preparation

  • Read the community map or GPS and identify the home of the client.
  • Carry a well-equipped home visit bag and gather teaching and learning materials.

Procedure steps

  • Read map of the community or use GhanaPost Global Positions System (GPS) address to identify the location of the client's home
  • Announce your presence, enter on response, greet and introduce yourself to client, family and significant other
  • Establish rapport (refer to procedure) and enquire about the general health of client and family
  • Ensure privacy and confidentiality by asking the client to identify a suitable place for the interaction
  • Ensure the environment is clean, safe and conducive for the education
  • Ask client to make himself comfortable in a desired by position
  • Explain the purpose and the importance of the education
  • Ensure enabling and relaxed environment
  • Find out client's level of awareness on condition in a language that client understands
  • Build on client's level of awareness and educate him on the condition
  • Explain to client the rational for treatment and possible outcome
  • Explain the role of care giver/family members
  • Allow client to ask questions and answer them tactfully
  • Provide client with simple pamphlets or credible website on the condition for further information if available
  • Ask for feedback to ascertain client's understanding
  • Summarize the talk to the client
  • Document all procedure into the report book
  • Express appreciation for his cooperation and depart

Precautions

  • Ensure privacy and confidentiality by asking the client to identify a suitable place for the interaction.
  • Ensure the environment is clean, safe and conducive for the education.
  • Find out the client's level of awareness on the condition in a language the client understands.
  • Document all procedures into the report book after the session.

Aftercare

  • Ask for feedback to ascertain the client's understanding.
  • Summarise the talk to the client and express appreciation before departing.

Nursing considerations

  • Build on the client's level of awareness and educate on the condition.
  • Explain the role of caregivers or family members and allow the client to ask questions.

Patient education

  • Educate the client on the causes, signs, symptoms and management of the disease.
  • Explain the rationale for treatment and the possible outcome.
  • Provide simple pamphlets or credible websites on the condition for further information if available.

Documentation

  • Document all procedures into the report book.

References and further reading

Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.

Open Component Task app