Psychological Assessment


nursing mental health assessment

Depending on the unit you are working on, the psychological assessment may be very short to very in depth. If you are taking care of a suicidal or bipolar person then your assessment will be much lengthier. 

How is the patient coping with their situation? Are they calm, aggressive, anxious, combative, frightened, etc.? How is their family coping with this situation?

Example: The patient has been combative and agitated since his alcohol withdrawals really became evident around 1200. I have been medicating him with 2 mg Ativan about every four hours to control his agitation. The family is fearful of his current behavior and angry that he is continuing to drink.