Patient Interaction and Care Flashcards
Give an example of a time you built trust with a patient?
I had a young patient admitted for the first time with severe anxiety and depression who was very withdrawn. I took a patient-centred approach, sitting with her quietly, explaining the unit routine simply, and reminding her I was available if needed. I remained open, empathetic, and non-threatening, without pushing her to talk. Gradually, we had short conversations about neutral topics, leading to discussions about her interests and therapeutic outlets, which eventually helped her open up about her thoughts and feelings. My patience, empathy, and consistent presence helped create a safe environment, leading her to open up and trust me, significantly aiding her recovery.
Explain a time you were creative when building rapport with a patient?
I had a patient with severe depression who had long hair, but due to depression it was significantly matted. This was only my second shift with this patient, but I noticed she was much more isolative to her room today. I spoke with a psych aid who had worked with her more about how I could help her feel uplifted and we decided to offer to demat her hair. The patient agreed and while the psych aid went to go grab shampoo I remembered I had conditioner in my car. The patient allowed both of us to work on her hair out in the common area that evening, and while we did this we engaged in humorous conversations and showed her the progress we had made on her hair. Other female patients had also noticed and complimented her hair. From this, moving forward this client was much more open and engaging and had made a friend on the unit.
What strategies do you use to build rapport with your patients?
Active listening, empathy, consistency and reliability, open and honest conversations, personalization / adaptability, positive body language, small talk, humour.
How would you go about treating someone new to the unit?
Introduce your name, occupation, and duty and other members of the team
Follow any protocols in place with infecious disease screening
Offer nourishment
Answer any immediate questions
Settle into patient room
Explain need and reason for belonging to be searched
Give them a tour and show them where their belongings are and how to access them
Explain privileges and observation level
Explain to them their rights and why they are in the hospital
Suicidue risk assessment
A patient is having difficulty with the treatment process, what do you do?
Assess the situation, having an open conversation with the patient.
Identify barriers, such as psychosocial stressors, financial constraints, side effects of medications that may be affecting adherence.
Collaborate with the team to discuss the case / alternative treatments and adjust the treatment plan.
Provide support and resources to patients, set realistic goals / enhance the therapeutic relationship, and then follow up.
Describe a care plan for someone who is psychotic.
Low stimulus environment, short brief interactions, clear and concise language, frequently checking in / close observation, ensure safety with accessible items and prevent harm, administration of antipsychotic medications and monitor behaviour / side effects.
What do you do when your patient becomes agitated?
Remain composed, non threatening body language. Assess severity, underlying factors or pain if present. Ensure safety and determine exit or call for help is needed. Active listening, identify feelings and provide validation, answer any immediate questions and offer solutions. Engage in distraction techniques, offer low stimulus environment and relaxation techniques. Follow up.
How do you maintain boundaries?
Professional language, presentation and behaviour. Respect emotional and physical boundaries, no dual relationships / social media, early intervention to boundary crossing, manage personal disclosure, be aware of emotional boundaries.
How would you handle a patient who complains?
I would see if patient has been suffering from any pain or distress.
Try to comfort the patient.
Listen carefully to the complaint and consider the situation carefully.
Reassure by sharing my sympathy and depending on the complaint and receptiveness of the patient I would explore some healthy perspectives and possible solutions.
How would you participate in keeping the unit safe?
Awareness of patient observation level, passess and privelges.
Activity checking on and observing patients throughout shifts, not just waiting for a call bell or when patients approaches nursing station
Using patient identifiers before giving treatment or medication
De escalation skills to defuse agitation and irritability
Attention to detail of changes in behaviour or mood that can hint of harm to selves or others
What are some things to know about working with personality disorders?
You must work on physical and emotional boundaries and limit-setting. Recognition of attention seeking behaviour and factors that can trigger aggressive or self harm tendencies. Tailored Interventions, adapt to be relevant and appropriate depending on individual.
Did you ever have a patient that needed harm reduction and what did you do?
Supplying patients with education and naloxone kits for passes
Describe a situation where you were an advocate for a patient.
I advocated for a client with a phobia of needles to have access to a special site to receive the injection. Close family member was immunocompromised and could not get the vaccine. He had been to therapy and don’t exposure therapy which was unsuccessful. This was still in the early phase of the vaccine role out so it wasn’t easy to find a specialized sight. I talked with multiple members of management about this situation and we were eventually able to find a specialized site that could give the vaccine.
Please describe treatment therapies/approaches/methodologies you utilize when dealing with patients with psychiatric disorders and addictions and how you implement them.
Motivational interviewing and Neumans systems model
Motivational Interviewing: Empowerment, encourage change, highlight strengths, explore personal motivations, providing positive reinforcement.
Neumans system: Address the complex interactions affecting patients’ health to achieve holistic care. Understanding the clients system, types of stressors, lines of defence and resistance, and using prevention as an intervention all contribute be being able to find ways to promote overall well-being and resilience against stressors
What is your approach to developing and implementing a care plan for a patient with a mental health disorder?
Collaborative approach, with multidisciplinary insights and input. Make sure client and family is involved. Make sure it’s specific to the patient and that goals are realistic. Clear expectations and understanding from the patient.
