American Nurses Association, American Psychiatric Nurses Association, & International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses.
Sample Solution
Application of Course Knowledge: PMHNP Competencies in Practice Summarizing Selected Competencies This discussion focuses on two key competencies for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNPs): Standard 5A: Coordination of Care: This competency emphasizes the PMHNP's role in collaborating with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive and continuous patient care across various settings (American Nurses Association [ANA] et al., 2022). Standard 5B: Health Teaching, Health Literacy, and Health Promotion: This standard highlights the PMHNP's responsibility to educate patients about their mental health conditions, treatment options, and self-management strategies (ANA et al., 2022). Standard 5A: Scope of Practice Implications Implications: PMHNPs providing both physical and mental healthcare within psychiatric facilities face several scope of practice considerations: Collaboration with Physicians: While PMHNPs have prescriptive authority for psychotropic medications, collaborating with a physician (MD) is crucial for managing complex physical health conditions or medication interactions (Stahl et al., 2019). Physical Assessment Skills: PMHNPs must possess strong physical assessment skills to identify potential physical contributors to mental health symptoms or rule out medical conditions mimicking psychiatric presentations (Alexander et al., 2018). Clear Documentation: Clear and concise documentation of both physical and mental health assessments, medication plans, and coordination efforts with other providers is essential to ensure continuity of care (Stahl et al., 2019).Full Answer Section
Standard 5B: Responding to Client Medication Requests from Online Research
Approach: PMHNPs can effectively address client requests for medications based on internet research by:
- Open Dialogue: Actively listen to the client's concerns and inquire about the specific information they found online (Alexander et al., 2018).
- Evaluation of Information: Help the client critically evaluate the information's source, accuracy, and applicability to their unique situation (Watts et al., 2019).
- Shared Decision-Making: Discuss evidence-based treatment options and the rationale behind them, encouraging shared decision-making in the medication selection process (Alexander et al., 2018).
Standard 5D: Strategies for Staying Current on Psychopharmacology
Strategies: PMHNPs can stay updated on new psychotropic medications through:
- Continuing Education: Participating in accredited continuing education programs focusing on new psychopharmacological options (Harkness et al., 2021).
- Professional Organizations: Joining professional organizations like the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) for access to current practice resources and updates (APNA, n.d.).
- Peer-Reviewed Journals: Regularly reviewing peer-reviewed journals dedicated to psychiatric-mental health nursing, such as the Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (JAPNA) (JAPNA, n.d.).
Example Applications
Standard 5A: In a psychiatric inpatient setting, a PMHNP performs a comprehensive assessment on a patient with depression. The PMHNP notes the patient also has uncontrolled hypertension. The PMHNP collaborates with the facility psychiatrist and a physician to develop a treatment plan including medication adjustments for both mental health and physical health.
Standard 5B: A client with anxiety requests a specific medication they found online. The PMHNP listens to the client's rationale and then discusses the medication's potential benefits, side effects, and potential interactions with their current medications. Together, they explore other evidence-based treatment options before making a shared decision.
Integration of Evidence
Source 1: Stahl, S. M., Simpson, E., & Hitchcock, J. M. (2019). Stahl's essential psychopharmacology: The prescriber's guide (5th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
This source highlights the importance of collaboration between PMHNPs and physicians, especially when managing complex physical health conditions or potential medication interactions in a psychiatric setting.
Source 2: Alexander, B. P., Gallagher-Duffy, P., & Farley, M. (2018). Integrating physical and mental health care: A clinical handbook (4th ed.). Springer Publishing Company.
This resource provides practical guidance on the PMHNP's role in performing physical assessments, collaborating with other healthcare professionals, and addressing patient concerns about medications found through online research.
Conclusion
Standards 5A and 5B emphasize the crucial skills PMHNPs require for effective practice. Implementing these competencies through coordinated care, informed patient education, and continuous learning ensures PMHNPs provide the best possible care to their clients. This approach fosters comprehensive treatment plans, empowers patients through collaboration, and ensures PMH