Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Guide to Psychiatric Diagnoses and Psychotropic Medications

By Karyn I. Morgan RN MSN APRN-CNS, this quick reference pocket guide is a comprehensive resource for developing practical, individualized plans of care for psychiatric-mental health patients. It is organized into two parts: the first half provides diagnostic information needed to create a care plan, and the second half covers the safe prescription and administration of psychotropic medications.

Key Features

This guide is updated to reflect the taxonomy and diagnostic criteria of the DSM-5-TR and Nursing diagnoses current with the NANDA-I 2021-2023 Nursing Diagnoses Definitions and Classifications. It includes expanded and updated sections on psychiatric disorders and psychotropic medications, with the addition of medications available since the last edition and the deletion of those discontinued.

Clinical Pearl boxes highlight must-know information and interventions for diagnoses. An Index of Client Behaviors with page numbers listed on inside covers helps in quick reference. The guide is organized by DSM-V-TR and NANDA diagnoses, making it easy to navigate.

Nursing Diagnoses and Interventions

Nursing diagnoses and interventions include the definition, possible etiologies (“Related to …”), defining characteristics (“Evidenced by …”), objectives broken down to show long- and short-term goals, interventions with selected rationales, and desired patient outcomes/discharge criteria. Each psychiatric disorder lists background assessment data, predisposing factors, symptomatology, and nursing diagnoses and nursing interventions commonly associated with the disorder.

Psychotropic Medications

The unit on psychotropic drug classifications covers anti-anxiety agents, antidepressants, mood stabilizing agents, antipsychotics, antiparkinsonian and tardive dyskinesia drugs, sedative hypnotics, and agents used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Indications, route, and dosage are listed for individual drugs as well as for classifications. Communication interventions in the care plans reinforce the emphasis on therapeutic communication.

Rating Scales

Helpful rating scales in the appendices include the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale.

Testimonials

“I used this daily during my psych rotation and it’ll remain on my shelf for future reference. Great must have!” – Sarah, Online Reviewer

“Super useful for nursing diagnoses and concept maps that were required. Has ‘evidenced by’, ‘goals’, ‘interventions’ and ‘outcomes’ — plus describes all the different conditions! I want one for all my rotations!” – Elle, Online Reviewer