Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Communication Approach to Evidence-Based Care, 1e [Paperback]

Elizabeth M. Varcarolis RN MA (Author), Margaret Jordan Halter PhD PMHCNS (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 10, 2008 | ISBN-10: 1416000518 | ISBN-13: 978-1416000518 | Edition: 1 Pap/Com

This focused approach to psychiatric mental health provides you with an uncomplicated way to understand the often-intimidating subject of psychiatric nursing. Inside you'll find two themes of psychiatric mental health nursing: the "How" of Communication and the "Why" of Evidence. You will also find easy-to-understand explanations of the research that applies to psychiatric nursing issues and how to incorporate this evidence into everyday care.

• Emphasizes evidence-based practice related to nursing interventions and the profound impact of research on the advancement of treatment options for individuals with psychiatric disorders.
• UNIQUE! Examining the Evidence boxes ask a realistic question and then explore the research on the topic to demonstrate how best evidence can be used in everyday practice.
• Highlights therapeutic communication as a core component of mental health nursing and the foundation for successful nurse-patient relationships.
• UNIQUE! Applying the Art communication tables walk through nurse-patient interactions to illustrate therapeutic and nontherapeutic communication and provide explanations of mental health nursing concepts.
• Numerous vignettes offer real-life glimpses into clinical practice by describing patients and their psychiatric disorders.
• Potential Nursing Diagnoses tables give possible nursing diagnoses for a particular disorder along with the associated signs symptoms.
• Nursing Interventions tables list interventions for a given disorder or clinical situation, along with rationales for each intervention.
• Pharmacological, Biological, and Integrative Therapies sections of the clinical chapters cover the range of available treatments for a given disorder, including both traditional and non-traditional treatments.
• Key Points to Remember, Critical Thinking questions, and Chapter Review questions help you understand, apply, and remember important information.
• A companion CD, included with the text and Student Resources on Evolve, reinforce concepts with a variety of engaging learning tools.

Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: Saunders; 1 Pap/Com edition (September 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416000518
• ISBN-13: 978-1416000518
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Medical Books > Nursing > Psychiatry & Mental Health

More About the Author

Elizabeth M. Varcarolis, RN, MA, Professor Emeritus, Formerly Deputy Chairperson, Department of Nursing, Borough of Manhattan Community College, New York, NY; Associate Fellow, Albert Ellis Institute for Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT), New York, NY.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2009 Copyright; Information is up-to-the-minute., December 30, 2008

By 

M. Franta (Walnut, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Communication Approach to Evidence-Based Care, 1e (Paperback)

I teach in both RN and Psych Tech Programs in the state of California, and I can tell you that this book makes an excellent text when studying the field of Pyschiatry. It is an excellent book for those persons entering the field of Nursing or Mental Health. Not only does the book define classic mental conditions such as schizophrenia, psychosis, depression, obsessive/compulsive disorders and all the other basic mental disorders, it also allows for the "theraputic use of self" when the student encounters someone who is in need of an individualized interpersonal response. A person can only go so far utilizing a Nursing Care Plan; the art of Psych Nursing is one that is discovered daily and under many unique and challenging conditions. This book serves as a valuable guiding light; it is a book for reference, and a great scientific base to all things Psych.

Critical Thinking excersises are also included, which will help the student prepare for the State Board Exams that they are all heading towards passing this exam as their goal.

I think that this book added to any Psych cirriculum will be a golden touch to the program it seeks to help.

This text also defines medications used to treat mental disorders, gives pharmacologic overviews and precautions.

Newer psych diagnosis, such as "Oppositional Defiant Disorder" which generally belongs in the teen patients is discussed on page 468 and makes for some interesting reading.

One possible outcome that may result as a by-product of studying this text is that one may "diagnose" persons in their life that are not "patients."

Thus the borderline diagnosis line of disorders can be the basis of much controversy at times.

Get this book - read it - study it - use it as a reference and it will open up the world of Modern Psychiatry for you in ways that you will appreciate and value.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful!, May 29, 2011

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smassey33 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Communication Approach to Evidence-Based Care, 1e (Paperback)

This was a required book for my mental health class, and I loved it, it is very well organized and was easy to navigate.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a must read for nursing students, July 3, 2010

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AZhousewife (Arizona) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Communication Approach to Evidence-Based Care, 1e (Paperback)

I found myself going back and referring to this textbook a lot as a nursing student. Mental health questions are usually common sense but there are quite a few areas where I needed to improve. I found that this book is not only required for my class but also in the field. There are mental health patients in all departments of the hospitals, clinics, etc.