People with mental illness can work and relate to others. Mental retardation does not make a person mentally ill. Mental illness is a biological illness, and great advances have been made in its treatment. Regardless of the setting, a comprehensive, accurate nursing assessment provides the foundation for a plan of care that will effect desired outcomes. In addition to the physical assessment, the following areas challenge the assessment skills of psychiatric home health nurses.
Problem solving is always difficult for psychiatric clients, yet they can improve their skills.
Successful problem solving skills for the client living at home with family is paramount to a positive treatment outcome. The nurse can help the family unit by assessing their problem-solving skills before determining the best interventions. A simple method to use during a home visit is to ask the client and family to solve a specific problem they have. The nurse can then share with the family her observations, including strengths and limitations. This activity can be a starting point for negotiating and improving family problem-solving skills.