Physical Health Flashcards
What is metabolic syndrome?
A cluster of abnormal clinical and metabolic findings that result in an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and CVD mortality.
SMI (Severe mental illness) is associated with much higher rates of what?
Obesity and abdominal obesity
Weight gain is a well-established side effect of what type of medications?
Antipsychotic medications particularly clozapine and olanzapine
Which antipsychotic medications are less likely to cause weight gain?
Aripiprazole, asenapine, and ziprasidone
What does metabolic screening involve?
Taking a persons waist circumference, blood pressure, height, and weight, and calculating body mass index.
What is the best indicator of metabolic health?
Waist circumference
Type 2 diabetes greatly increases the risk of what?
Cardiovascular disease, renal failure, amputation and blindness
Why are people with SMI (Severe mental illness) more likely to have Type 2 diabetes?
Lifestyle factors, genetic predisposition as well as disease and treatment-specific effects (Such as the use of antipsychotic medications)
What does the term ‘Cardiovascular diseases’ (CVD) refer to?
Any disease that affects the heart and blood vessels (Coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease ect)
What are the major risk factors for Cardiovascular disease (CVD)?
Smoking, obesity, hypertension, raised blood cholesterol, genetics and T2 diabetes
What is the most common cause of death in people with SMI (Sever mental illness)
CVD (Cardiovascular disease)
What type of lifestyle interventions can nurses advise, encourage and implement for cardiometabolic health?
Tobacco cessation, physical activity/nutrition, medication changes ect
The high rate of smoking among people with SMI can be attributed to what?
A high smoking take up rate that occurs early in life often before a mental health diagnosis, combined with fewer and less successful quit attempts
What would be an intervention for smoking cessation?
Getting the patient to participate in a smoking cessation program
What is an intervention for poor diet / sedentary lifestyle?
Structured nutritional counselling and modifying lifestyle.
What is an intervention regarding obesity?
Structured nutritional counselling and modifying lifestyle + considering antipsychotic switching, reviewing medications and rationalising any polypharmacy.
What would an intervention for a high blood pressure be
Structured nutritional counselling and modifying lifestyle + considering antipsychotic switching, reviewing medications and rationalising any polypharmacy.
What kind of pharmacological support can be offered for a patient wanting to quit smoking
Nicotine replacement therapy or bupropion ect
People with SMI commonly have diets lower in what?
Fruit and fibre and their diets are high in saturated fat compared to the general population
What nutritional interventions can nurses implement?
Interventions that aim to reduce caloric intake and improve diet quality by increasing core foods and reducing discretionary foods (Vegetavles, fruit, milk, cheese, yoghurt, lean meat, fish, eggs, nuts ect)
Which type of diet is shown to be beneficial for mental health by preventing and/or reducing depressive symptoms?
Mediterranean diet
Physical activity can be defined as…..
Any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscle resulting in an increased energy expenditure
Are people with mental illness known to be more or less physically active in comparison with the general population?
Less
Low levels of physical activity are an established risk factor for what?
Cardiometabolic dysfunction (Diabetes and obesity)
Good sleep is essential for what?
Good physical and mental health
What can be one of the more distressing and persistent symptoms of a mental disorder?
Sleep disturbance
How many hours of sleep does an adult need on average?
7-8 hours per night
How many hours of sleep does an adolescent need on average?
9-10
How many hours of sleep does a child need on average?
11-13 hours
What is the most important primary action regarding a persons sleep?
Asking about a persons sleep
Regarding sleep disorder nurses may play an important role in what?
Encouraging patients to manage any lifestyle issues that may be contributing to their sleep problems and encouraging sleep hygiene
What are the important principles of sleep hygiene?
Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, regular meal times, avoiding naps, avoiding eating and working out before bed, avoiding caffine after midday, ensuring bedroom is comfortable, dark + quiet, engage in exercise during the day, practice relaxation, and avoid stimulating activities before bed.
What are some common issues that affect a persons sexuality and sexual health?
Sexually transmitted infections, body image, gender identity, psychological changes, medications, and stigma
Sexual health screening includes….
Breast, prostate, cervical, and sexually transmitted infection screening
Why is it important to take a correct physical assessment that includes history taking and checking with relatives?
So that a patient receives the correct diagnosis and you do not miss a physical health issue
Why do people mis diagnose people with lyme disease for mental illness?
Because they often present with psychiatric symptoms such as paranoia, anxiety, and depressive symptoms
How can we increase physical activity for those with a mental illness?
Behavioural techniques such as motivational interviewing, face to face group-based excersise sessions as well as structured excerisise prescriptions and interventions reflecting individual variations in mood, motivation, and access to facilities and resources. Physical reccomendations can be unrealistic for some living with MI so reccomend realistic goals such as breaking up sitting time with a small walk
Do people with SMI have issues with oral health?
Yes, they are less likely to seek treatment and have a higher risk of dental disease
What nursing actions/strategies can the nurse consider for a patient with poor oral health?
Use clinical interactions as an opportunity to promote oral health as a vital part of general health, consider health promotion that focuses on smoking, diet, alcohol use, and dental hygiene that should be routinely incorporated into mental health nursing care.
