MENTAL HEALTH (VSP20): Miss C
Assignment 1: Case study
Learning Outcomes
Please refer to course outline
Learning Objectives
Please view objectives in syllabus
Directions
- Read the following case study and reply to the questions. Please note that while your responses do not need to be in the form of a formal essay it is expected that all responses contain your rationale and are supported by credible sources referenced using APA 6th or 7th edition.
- When you are being asked to give answers in your own words, this means
you will read the research related to the topic, paraphrase the ideas you
have read into your own words and then use in-text citations appropriately. - You may use a MAXIMUM of three direct quotations in this case
study. Please ensure you understand how to properly use direct
quotations. - Submit your assignment via drop box by 2359hr on the assigned due date.
Case Study
Miss C is a 34-year-old female who was brought into hospital by ambulance after
being found slumped over in the front seat of her car outside her previous place of
work. There were two empty bottles of sleeping pills beside her in the car. She was
treated medically for an overdose, is medically cleared, and is now admitted to an
inpatient psychiatric unit for further assessment and diagnosis. Miss C’s hair is
matted in areas, she has a strong body odor, and the clothes that arrived on the
unit with her are stained and dirty. Miss C is refusing to come to the dining room
for breakfast and refusing to get out of bed to do morning care.
You are the nurse on dayshift caring for Miss C. - Discuss four concerns related to the assessment information presented in the
case study above. Recommend two further assessment questions you feel
are appropriate at this time. (6 marks) - Describe how you would approach Miss C in the situation above to facilitate
therapeutic communication. How would the nurse encourage Miss C to
perform her activities of daily living. (2 marks)
Miss C gets out of bed with help and is standing in the bathroom with her
toothbrush. She says to you “what is the point of brushing my teeth anyways, it
isn’t like I’m going to make it to my next dentist appointment.”
MENTAL HEALTH (VSP20) - List two essential questions that you would ask Miss C to clarify her
statement and fully assess for suicidal ideation and intent. (2 marks) - List six safety concerns for the patient on a mental health unit when they are
expressing suicidal ideation. What should you check for to ensure patient
safety? (6 marks)
Miss C has been on your unit for one week and states “these medications are not
working properly; the doctor chose the wrong one”. When you ask her why she
believes that, she states, “I’m not feeling any better yet, I’m still feeling sad and
pathetic”. - How would you respond to Miss C’s concern that her medication is not
working? (2 marks)
Miss C is treated and released five weeks from her admission date. Five months
later you are taking report on your evening shift and you hear a name that sounds
familiar. Miss C has been admitted to the unit for monitoring. She was brought into
the emergency department with the police after creating a disturbance at a mall in
the city. She was verbally and physically abusive to staff in the emergency
department and her boyfriend states she has been increasingly bizarre for the last
few weeks. He reports that she believes that she has found the cure for cancer and
has been sleeping very little. He is worried as she is spending all of her money on
advertising her cure for cancer and has been drinking alcohol and taking street
drugs to keep herself awake. He states she has been “irritable” and they “have
been arguing a lot.” Two nights ago, Miss C left their home after an argument and
he has not seen her since. Miss C is diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. - Miss C’s family is upset about her diagnosis. Describe how you would explain
bipolar disorder to Miss C’s family. (2 marks) - Discuss three patient safety concerns as they relate to acute mania in the
bipolar patient. Include your rationale for each concern. (6 marks)
Miss C’s treatment progresses well, and her mood stabilizes. She is ready for
discharge but there is concern from the psychiatrist that she will not comply with
treatment upon discharge. Her family also shares this concern as Miss C states that
she” doesn’t need to keep taking the medication” that has been prescribed for her
bipolar disorder once she is back home. - Discuss community treatment orders (CTO) as it relates to bipolar disorder.
In your own words describe why a patient may be issued a CTO. (2 marks)
Miss C is being discharged from hospital on your shift. She is going home on a
therapeutic dose of lithium as well as valproic acid.
MENTAL HEALTH (VSP20) - In your own words, describe the priority teaching points related to the
lithium and valproic acid that you would discuss with Miss C during her
discharge teaching. (4 marks) - Discuss why it is important to therapeutically end the nurse-patient
relationship prior to discharge. (2 marks)
10.Explain the importance of professional self-reflection when working with
patients in the mental health setting using current literature. (4 marks)
MARKING RUBRIC
Points 100% 75% 50% 25% Score
Content
Questions
1-10
Marks are
allocated per
question as
listed in Case
Study.
All data in
question is
relevant with
exceptional
depth to answers and
applicable to case
study.
Shows exceptional
understanding of
the material and
evidence of critical
thinking
Data is relevant,
appropriate depth and
applicable to the case
study.
Shows an acceptable
understanding of
material with
evidence
of critical thinking
Some data is not
relevant or
appropriate to the
case study
Lacks depth in
answers
Shows some
understanding of
material
Evidence of critical
thinking not well
presented
Most data not
relevant or
appropriate to the
case study.
Lack of depth in
answers or questions
skipped.
Shows lack of critical
thinking and
understanding of
material /38
Grammar
and
Mechanics
No errors in spelling,
grammar, or
mechanics
Very few minor errors
in spelling, grammar,
or mechanics
Quite a few errors in
spelling, grammar, or
mechanics
Major errors in
spelling,
grammar, or
mechanics
/4
APA
Formatting
No errors in APA
formatting
Very few, minor errors
in APA formatting
Quite a few errors in
APA formatting
Major errors in
APA formatting /4
Research Research on the topic
is thorough and
academically rigorous
with a minimum of
three current sources
used
Research on the topic
is acceptable with a
minimum of three
current sources used
Research on the topic
is poor and/or less
than three current
sources used
Minimal research
evident. Less than
three current sources
used
/2
TOTAL /48
