Community Mental Health Nursing (RCMN)
HOME VISIT TO A CLIENT WITH ANXIETY DISORDER
It is a purposeful visit by the RCPN to the home of client suffering from anxiety disorder. The nurse renders care with respect to the client's/family identified health needs.
Purpose
- Meet the specific health needs of the client and family in their home environment
- Monitor the progress of treatment, recovery and the coping strategies of the client
- Assess the client's home environment for safety
- Prevent or minimize client's level of anxiety
- Ensure compliance
- Assess and identify stressors in the environment
- Maximise client, family and societal level of independence of health or wellbeing
- Build confidence of the client and family
Indications
- Home visits to a client suffering from anxiety disorder.
- Monitoring treatment, recovery and the coping strategies of the client.
- Preventing or minimising the client's level of anxiety.
Equipment
- A Well-Equipped Home Visit Bag
- Community Map and or GhanaPost Global Positions System (GPS)
- Area Register
- Means of Transportation
Preparation
- Read the community map or GPS and identify the home of the client.
- Carry a well-equipped home visit bag and arrange transportation.
Procedure steps
- Read map of the community to identify the home of the client
- Announce your presence, enter on response, greet and introduce yourself to client, family and significant others
- Explain the purpose of your visit
- Establish rapport (refer to procedure) and enquire about the general health of client
- Approach client in a calm and respectful manner to gain his trust
- Ensure privacy and confidentiality by asking client to identify a suitable place for the interaction
- Involve caregiver in the interaction with the consent of client
- Enquire and Counsel on:
- Health of client and relatives
- Occupation and or schooling
- Disease condition to client family and other tenants (if necessary)
- Personal and environmental hygiene needs and safety
- Nutritional needs of the client
- Sleep pattern
- Enquire about sources of tension and apprehension
- Educate client and family on the condition emphasizing on:
- Signs and symptoms of relapse
- Adherence to treatment regimen
- Effective communication
- Good interpersonal relationship
- Teach and encourage family/caregivers on the need to be supportive
- Encourage family to be observant and be with client during moments of anxiety
- Inform client and family about other social support systems available in the community such as self-help groups, NGOs
- Teach client to use the various coping strategies such as relaxation and cognitive restructuring techniques
- Encourage family or caregiver to reinforced positive behavior through the use behavior modification techniques
- Educate client and family on therapeutic values of medicines and daily routines that promote recovery
- Refer problems beyond scope to the nearest unit or health facility
- Inform client/family about your next visit
- Leave your contact with client/caregiver and encourage them to call in case of emergency
- Document the care and findings in the report book
- Express appreciation and depart
Precautions
- Approach the client in a calm and respectful manner to gain trust.
- Ensure privacy and confidentiality by asking the client to identify a suitable place for the interaction.
- Involve the caregiver in the interaction only with the client's consent.
- Refer problems beyond the nurse's scope to the nearest unit or health facility.
Aftercare
- Inform the client and family about the next visit.
- Leave contact details with the client or caregiver for emergencies.
Nursing considerations
- Enquire about sources of tension and apprehension and identify stressors in the environment.
- Encourage family or caregivers to be supportive and to be with the client during moments of anxiety.
Patient education
- Teach the client coping strategies such as relaxation and cognitive restructuring techniques.
- Educate the client and family on the therapeutic value of medicines and daily routines that promote recovery.
- Encourage the family to reinforce positive behaviour using behaviour modification techniques.
Documentation
- Document the care and findings in 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.
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