LOURDES COLLEGE OF NURSING-SIDHI SADAN

UNIT PLAN

Course Title : Mental Health Nursing

Unit No : I- XIV

Hours : 60 Hrs

Teacher : Mental Health Nursing Department

Course Description:

This course is designed for the students to recognize the modern approach to mental health and understand the causes, symptoms and
process of human abnormal behaviour. This course helps the student to learn principles of psychiatric nursing and to identify prevention and
nursing management of common mental health problems with special emphasis on therapeutic interventions for individuals, family and
community.

Objectives:
At the end of the class the students will be able to:
 Describe the historical development , scope & current trends in mental health nursing
 Describe the epidemiology of mental health problems
  Discuss the role and responsibilities of the nurse
 Describe the concept of normal & abnormal behavior
 Defines the various terms used in mental health Nursing
 Explains the classification of mental disorders and psychodynamics of maladaptive behavior
 Discuss the etiological factors, psychopathology of mental disorders
 Explain the principles, standards and conceptual models of mental health nursing
 Describe nature, purpose and process of assessment of mental health status
 Identify therapeutic communication techniques, therapeutic relationship, therapeutic impasses and its intervention
 Explain treatment modalities and therapies used in mental disorders and role of the nurse
 Describe the etiology, psycho- pathology clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria and management of patients with mental disorders
 Identify psychiatric emergencies and carry out crisis intervention
 Identify the mental disorders of old age, discuss the management of mental health problems of oldage and role of geropsychiatric nurse
 Explain legal aspects applied in mental health settings
 Describe the model of preventive psychiatry, community mental health services and role of the nurse

Unit & Learning objectives and content Instructional Learning Evaluation

hours strategies strategies &max marks
(75)

I Introduction and historical development Lecture cum Refer at least 3 Develop Long
discussion text books and short essays
5 hrs  Historical development of psychiatry Discuss with the (10/7 marks)
Group discussion mental health and short notes
 team regarding (5 marks)
 Historical development of mental health nursing Develop question their functions Answer briefly(4
papers based on marks)
 Philosophy, principles and standards of mental health learning objectives, Differentiate
nursing. syllabus and content between (2
on the text book marks)
 Concepts of normal and abnormal behavior.

 Mental health Act

 Indian Lunacy Act

 Rights of mentally ill clients

 Forensic Psychiatry

 Admission and discharge procedures

 Acts related to narcotic and psychotropic substances and

illegal drug trafficking

 Roles and responsibilities, qualities of mental health nurse.

 Mental health team and functions of team members.

II Principles and Concepts of Lecture cum Review and Essays (12 marks)
Mental Health Nursing discussion develop notes of Short essays (7
4 hrs  Defines the various terms used in mental health Nursing and the previously mark) short notes
classification of mental disorders Develop question learned topics in (5 marks) and
1. Definition: mental health nursing and terminology used papers based on anatomy and answer briefly
2. Classification of mental disorders: learning objectives, psychology (4marks) and
 a. -ICD10&11 syllabus and content Refer atleast 3 differentiate
b. -DSM 5 on the text book text books between (4mark)
 Explain psychodynamics of maladaptive behavior Develop answers Assessment of
3. Review of personality development, defense mechanisms for essay type skill with
4. Maladaptive behaviour of individuals and groups : (10/12mark) checklist
a. -stress Short answers Short notes (5
b. -crisis (4/5mark) marks) and
c. -disaster(s) Answer briefly answer briefly
 Discuss the etiological factors, psychopathology of mental (3/4marks) (4marks)
disorders Differentiate
5. Etiology : bio-psycho-social factors between(¾mark)
6. Psychopathology of mental disorders Demonstrate the
a. -review of structure and function of assessment skills
b. brain, limbic system based on the
c. -abnormal neuro transmission check list
Develop skill in
 Explain the principles, standards and conceptual models of mental status
Mental health Nursing examination
7. Principles of Mental health Nursing Develop short
8. Standards of Mental health Nursing practice notes (4/5mark)
9. Conceptual models and the role of nurse: and very short
a. Psycho-analytical models notes(3/4mark)
i. Freud
b. Behavioural model
i. BF. Skinner
ii. Joseph Wolpe
iii. EL.Thorndike,
iv. Ivan Pavlov
c. Psychosocial model
i. Erikson
d. Interpersonal model
i. H. Peplau,
 ii. H.S. Sullivan
Assessment of mental health Status

 Describe nature, purpose and process of assessment of mental

health status

1. History taking
2. Mental status examination
3. Mini mental status examination
4. Neurological examination: review
5. Investigations: related blood chemistry, EEG, CT & MRI
6. Psychological tests
7. Role and responsibilities of nurse
III Therapeutic communication and nurse patient relationship Lecture cum Refer atleast 3
discussion text books
4 hrs  Identify therapeutic communication techniques Review and Essays (12 marks)
1. Therapeutic communication: Types, techniques, characteristics Role playing develop notes Do Short essays (7
(Review) self assessment mark) short notes
2. Goals, phases, tasks, therapeutic techniques Develop question with Johari (5 marks) answer
3. Process recording papers based on window briefly (4marks)
4. Assertive communication techniques learning objectives, Develop essays and difference
 Describe therapeutic relationship syllabus and content (12mark), short between
5. Types of relationship on the text book Essay (7marks) (3/4mark)
6. Ethics and responsibilities short notes Assessment of
7. Elements of nurse patient contract (4/5mark) and skill with
8. Review of technique of IPR- Johari Window differentiate checklist
 Describe therapeutic impasses and its intervention between
9. Therapeutic impasses and its intervention (3/4marks)
 Resistance
 Transference
 Countertransference
 Gift giving
  Boundary violation

IV Nursing management of patient with schizophrenia, and other Refer atleast 3

delusional disorders Lecture cum text books Essays (12 marks)
4 hrs  Describe the etiology, psycho- pathology clinical manifestations, discussion Develop skill in and short notes
diagnostic criteria and management of patients with schizophrenia MSE (5 marks)
1. Historical view Video assisted Develop essays
2. Definition and ICD 10 classification teaching (12mark), and
3. Epidemiology short notes
4. Etiology and Psychopathology Develop question (4/5mark)
5. Fundamental symptoms and first rank symptoms papers based on Apply
6. ICD Criteria learning objectives, psychotherapies
7. Clinical classification –ICD syllabus and content suitable for the
- Paranoid on the text book patient
- Hebephrenic
- Catatonia
- Undifferentiated
- Post-schizophrenic depression
- Residual
- Simple
8. Diagnosis
9. Management
- Pharmacological
- Other treatment aspects
- Nursing management- Assessment, Planning,
Implementation, Evaluation
10. Follow up and home care and rehabilitation
Other psychotic conditions - Acute psychosis
-Definition: ICD
-Epidemiology
-Etiology & Psychopathology
 - ICD Criteria
-Diagnosis
-Pharmacological management
-Other treatment aspects
-Nursing management
-Follow up and home care and rehabilitation
V Nursing management of patient with affective disorders Refer atleast 3
 Describe the etiology, psycho- pathology clinical manifestations, Lecture cum text books Essays (12
5 hrs diagnostic criteria and management of patients with affective discussion Develop skill in marks), short
disorders MSE essays (7mark)
1. Manic episode Role playing Develop essays short notes (5
o Epidemiology (12mark), short marks) and
o Etiology & Psychopathology Develop question essays (6/7mark) difference
o Clinical features papers based on short notes between (4mark)
o ICD 10 Criteria learning objectives, (4/5mark) and
o Diagnosis syllabus and content difference
o Pharmacological management on the text book between
(3/4mark)
o Psychosomatic aspects
Apply the
o Nursing management- Assessment, Planning,
psychotherapies
Implementation, Evaluation suitable for the
o Follow-up and home care and rehabilitation patient
2. Bipolar affective disorder
o Epidemiology
o Etiology & Psychopathology
o Clinical features
o ICD 10 Criteria
o Diagnosis
o Pharmacological management
o Psychosomatic aspects
o Nursing management- Assessment, Planning,
Implementation, Evaluation
 o Follow-up and home care and rehabilitation
3. Depressive episode
o Epidemiology
o Etiology & Psychopathology
o Clinical features
o ICD 10 Criteria
o Diagnosis
o Pharmacological management
o Psychosomatic treatment
o Nursing management- Assessment, Planning,
Implementation, Evaluation
o Follow-up and home care and rehabilitation
4. Dysthymia
o Epidemiology
o Etiology & Psychopathology
o Clinical features
o ICD 10 Criteria
o Diagnosis
o Pharmacological management
o Psychosomatic aspects
o Nursing management- Assessment, Planning,
Implementation, Evaluation
o Follow-up and home care and rehabilitation

VI Neurotic, stress related and somatization disorders Develop question Refer atleast 3 Short Essays
 Describe the etiology, psychopathology, clinical manifestations, papers based on text books (7mark) short
5 hrs diagnostic criteria and management of patients with neurotic, learning objectives, Develop skill in notes (5 marks)
stress related and somatization disorders syllabus and content MSE and answer
1. Anxiety disorders on the text book Develop short briefly (4marks)
o Definition essays (6/7mark) difference
 o Etiology short notes between (4mark)
o Types (4/5mark) very
o Trait anxiety short notes
o State anxiety (3/4marks)and
-Generalized anxiety disorder difference
-Panic disorder between
o Psychopathology (3/4mark)
o Clinical manifestation- ICD Apply the
psychotherapies
o Diagnostic criteria- ICD
suitable for the
o Pharmaco and psychosocial therapies
patient
o Nursing management- Assessment, Planning,
Implementation, Evaluation
o Follow-up and home care and rehabilitation
2. Phobic disorder
o Definition
o Etiology
o Types - specific,social and agoraphobia
o Psychopathology
o Clinical manifestation- ICD
o Diagnostic criteria- ICD
o Pharmaco and psychosocial therapies
o Nursing management- Assessment, Planning,
Implementation, Evaluation
o Follow-up and home care and rehabilitation
3. Dissociative disorder
o Definition
o Etiology
o Types
o Psychopathology
o Clinical manifestation- ICD
 o Diagnostic criteria- ICD
o Pharmaco and psychosocial therapies
o Nursing management- Assessment, Planning,
Implementation, Evaluation
o Follow-up and home care and rehabilitation
4. Obsessive compulsive disorder
o Definition
o Etiology
o Types
o Psychopathology
o Clinical manifestation- ICD
o Diagnostic criteria- ICD
o Pharmaco and psychosocial therapies
o Nursing management- Assessment, Planning,
Implementation, Evaluation
o Follow-up and home care and rehabilitation
5. Somatoform disorder
o Definition
o Etiology
o Types - specific,social and agoraphobia
o Psychopathology
o Clinical manifestation- ICD
o Diagnostic criteria- ICD
o Pharmaco and psychosocial therapies
o Nursing management- Assessment, Planning,
Implementation, Evaluation
o Follow-up and home care and rehabilitation
6. Post traumatic stress disorder
o Definition
o Etiology
 o Types - specific,social and agoraphobia
o Psychopathology
o Clinical manifestation- ICD
o Diagnostic criteria- ICD
o Pharmaco and psychosocial therapies
o Nursing management- Assessment, Planning,
Implementation, Evaluation
o Follow-up and home care and rehabilitation

VII Substance use disorders Develop question Refer atleast 3 Short Essays
Alcoholism and drug dependence papers based on text books (12mark), short
4 hrs  Describe the etiology, psychopathology, clinical manifestations, learning objectives, Develop skill in essay (7mark)
diagnostic criteria and management of patients with substance syllabus and content MSE short notes (5
abuse disorders on the text book Develop essay marks) and
1. Substance use disorders (10/12mark) short answer briefly
 Definition essays (6/7mark) (4marks)
 Patterns of drug use and short notes difference
 Common psychoactive Substances, forms, routes and action (4/5mark) between (4mark)
 Etiology Apply the
 Complication/clinical manifestation psychotherapies
 Intoxication and withdrawal suitable for the
patient
 Treatment aspects (detoxification, anta abuse and narcotic
Plan to conduct
antagonist therapy and harm reduction)
psychoeducation
2. Alcohol use disorder
sessions for the
 Definition
patients
 Etiology
 Complication/clinical manifestation
 Tolerance
 Psychological and physical dependence,
 Intoxication and withdrawal syndrome
 Treatment aspects (detoxification, anta abuse and harm
 reduction)
 Psychosocial interventions
 Nursing management- Assessment, Planning, Implementation,
Evaluation
 Follow-up and home care and rehabilitation
3. Other psychoactive substance use disorders - forms, route,
complications, treatment and nursing management
a. opioid use disorder
b. Cannabis use disorder
c. Cocaine use disorder
d. Amphetamine use disorder
e. LSD use disorder
f. Barbiturate use disorder
g. Benzodiazepines and other sedative- hypnotic use disorder
h. Inhalants or volatile solvent use disorder
i. Phencyclidine use disorder
j. Nicotine dependence

VIII Behavioural syndroms associated with physiological disturbances Develop question Refer atleast 3 Short essay
and physical factors, sleep, sexual and eating disorders papers based on text books (7mark) short
4 hrs  Describe the etiology, psycho- pathology clinical manifestations, learning objectives, Develop skill in notes (5 marks)
diagnostic criteria and management of patients with sleep, sexual syllabus and content MSE and answer
and eating disorders on the text book Develop short briefly (4marks)
- Classification of disorders,Etiology, psychopathology, essays (6/7mark) difference
characteristics, diagnosis, treatment modalities Nursing and short notes between (4mark)
assessment and management and follow up& homecare of (4/5mark)
1. Eating disorders Very short notes
a. Anorexia Nervosa (3/4mark) and
b. Bulimia Nervosa difference
2. Non organic sleep disorders between
a. Insomnia (3/4mark)
b. Hypersomnia Apply the
 c. Sleep walking psychotherapies
d. Nightmares suitable for the
3. Sexual Dysfunctions patient
4. Puerperium Psychosis

IX Psychiatric disturbance of childhood and adolescent including Develop question Refer atleast 3 Essays (12 marks)
mental deficiency papers based on text books Short essays (7
5 hrs  Describe the etiology, psychopathology, clinical manifestations, learning objectives, Develop skill in mark) short notes
diagnostic criteria and management of childhood and adolescent syllabus and content MSE (5 marks) answer
disorders including mental deficiency on the text book Develop essays briefly (4marks)
1. Mental deficiency/ Mental retardation (10/12mark) short and difference
 Definition essays (6/7mark) between
 Etiology and short notes (3/4mark)
 IQ assessment (4/5mark)
 Classification-ICD Very short notes
a.Mild MR (3/4mark) and
b. Moderate MR difference
c.Severe MR between
d. Profound MR (3/4mark)
 Clinical features Apply the
 Diagnostic assessment psychotherapies
suitable for the
 Management
patient
 Prevention
 Nursing management:-Assessment, Planning,
Implementation,Evaluation
 Follow up and home care and rehabilitation
2. The definition , etiology, psychopathology, clinical
manifestations, diagnostic criteria and medical and nursing
management of developmental disorder of
a. Speech and language
b. Scholastic skills
 c. Hyperkinetic disorder (ADHD)
d. Conduct disorder
e. Autism
f. Enuresis & encopresis
g. Tic disorder

X Organic mental disorders Develop question Refer atleast 3

 Describe the etiology, psychopathology, clinical manifestations, papers based on text books Short essays (7
4 hrs diagnostic criteria and management of organic brain disorders learning objectives, Develop skill in mark) short notes
syllabus and content MSE (5 marks) answer
1. Delirium on the text book Develop short briefly (4marks)
a. Definition essays (6/7mark) and difference
b. Epidemiology and short notes between (4mark)
c. Etiology & Psychopathology (4/5mark)
d. Clinical features Very short notes
e. ICD 10 Criteria (3/4mark) and
f. Diagnosis difference
g. Pharmacological management between
h. Psychosomatic treatment (3/4mark)
i. Nursing management- Assessment, Planning, Apply the
Implementation, Evaluation psychotherapies
j. Follow-up and home care and rehabilitation suitable for the
patient
2. Dementia
a. Definition
b. Epidemiology
c. Etiology & Psychopathology
d. Types
e. Clinical features
f. ICD 10 Criteria
g. Diagnosis
h. Pharmacological management
 i. Psychosomatic treatment
j. Nursing management- Assessment, Planning,
Implementation, Evaluation
k. Follow-up , home care and rehabilitation
XI Treatment modalities and therapies used in mental disorders Lecture cum Refer atleast 3 Essays (12 marks)
4 hrs  Explain treatment modalities and therapies used in mental discussion text books Short essays (7
disorders and role of the nurse Discuss with the mark) short notes
Role playing clinical (5 marks) answer
1. Psycho Pharmacology: types, action, adverse reactions and nurses psychologist briefly (4marks)
role of Develop question regarding various and difference
a. Anti psychotics papers based on therapies
b. Anti depressant learning objectives, Prepare drug
c. Anti parkinsonism syllabus and content book
d. Anti anxiety on the text book Plan for the
e. Mood stabilizers psychosocial
f. Miscellaneous drugs therapies in the
clinical setting
2. Psychological therapies: Develop
a. Therapeutic community/ Milieu therapy essays(12mark),
b. Psycho therapy- Individual-Definition,Factors, Types, short essay
Common Psychotherapeutic techniques (7marks) short
c. Psychoanalytical, cognitive and supportive notes (4/5mark)
d. Family Psychotherapy/ Marital therapy- Definition, very short notes
Phases,Indication, Contra indication (4/5mark) and
e. Group psychotherapy- Definition, Steps differentiate
f. Play therapy between
g. Psycho-drama (3/4marks)
h. Music, Dance between
i. Recreational (3/4mark)
j. Light therapy Assessment of
k. Behavioural therapy- Definition, Indication, Contra indication skill with
-Theories of learning checklist
 -Classical conditioning
-Recent conditioning
- Techniques
 Systematic desensitization
 Flooding
 Aversion therapy
 Operant conditioning procedures for increasing a
behaviour
 Operant conditioning procedure for decreasing a
behaviour
 Negative practice
 Relaxation training
 Assertiveness training
l. Relaxation therapies: Yoga, Meditation, Bio- feedback
m. Occupational therapy- Definition, Aims, Advantages, types of
service, Settings
n. Physical Therapy - ECT
- Definition
- Indication/Contraindication
- Placement/Type of ECT
- Dosage, Duration, Efficacy
- Pre ECT
- During ECT
- Post ECT
- Complication
- Nursing management
o. Other physical methods
XII Psychiatric emergencies and crisis intervention Develop question Refer atleast 3 Short essays (7
 Identify psychiatric emergencies and carry out crisis intervention papers based on text books mark) short notes
4 hrs 1. Psychiatric emergencies learning objectives, Develop short (5 marks) answer
o Definition syllabus and content essays (6/7mark) briefly (4marks)
on the text book and short notes and difference
 o Etiology (4/5mark) between (4mark
o Types Very short notes
 Psychotic (3/4mark) and
 Suicide difference
 Stupor between
 Excitement (3/4mark)
 Violence
 Organic
 Delirium tremens
 Drug dependence etc
o Management of various type of emergency including
nursing management
2. Stress adaptation model
 Stress and stressor
 Coping Resources
 Coping mechanism
3. Grief
 Theories of grieving process
 Principles and Techniques of counseling
4. Crisis intervention
 Types of crisis
 Crisis intervention
 Principles, techniques and process of crisis intervention
 Geriatric considerations
 Follow up and home care rehabilitation

XIII Disorder of adult personality and behaviour Develop question Refer atleast 3 Short essays (7
 Describe the etiology, psycho- pathology clinical features and papers based on text books mark) short notes
4 hrs management of personality disorders learning objectives, Develop short (5 marks) answer
Definition ,ICD 10 classification, Etiology, psychopathology, syllabus and content essays (6/7mark) briefly (4marks)
characteristics, diagnosis, treatment modalities Nursing assessment on the text book and short notes and difference
 and management and follow up& homecare of (4/5mark) between (4mark
1. Personality disorders Very short notes
2. Gender identity disorder (3/4mark) and
3. Transsexualism difference
4. Dual role Tranvestism between
5. Sexual preference(Pervation) (3/4mark)
6. Habit and impulse disorders
7. Adjustment disorders
XIV Community mental health nursing Develop question Refer atleast 3
 Describes community mental health services and role of the nurse papers based on text books Short essays (7
4 hrs 1. Development of community psychiatry learning objectives, Develop short mark) short notes
 Magnitude of mental disorder syllabus and content essays (6/7mark) (5 marks) answer
 Rehabilitation potentials in rural and urban community on the text book and short notes briefly (4marks)
 History of community psychiatry (4/5mark) and difference
2. National mental health Programme Very short notes between (4mark)
 Introduction (3/4mark) and
 Analysis of the present situation, needs, seminar and difference
facilities between
 Exciting mental health services (3/4mark)
 Manpower
 Strategies for action
 Objectives
 Approaches to the statement of Programme objective
 Dot line plan of section
 Needs for co-operation and co-ordination
3. Institution Versus Deinstitution
 Partial hospitalization
 Halfway homes
 Long stay homes
 Day care centre
 Other types of hospitalization
  Day hospitalization
 Night hospitalization
 Evening and week end hospitalization
 Foster home
 Quarter homes

 Describe the model of preventive psychiatry

4. Model of Preventive psychiatry and role of nurse

a. Primary prevention
b. Secondary prevention
c. Tertiary prevention
5. Mental health services available at the primary, secondary,
tertiary levels including rehabilitation and role of nurse
6. Mental health Agencies: Government and voluntary, national
and international
7. Mental health nursing issues for special populations: Victims
of violence and abuse, Disaster, HIV/AIDS etc.