BNS 120: Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing (I, II & III)
ASSESSMENT FOUNDATIONS • MODULE 1
Foundations of Mental Health & Clinical Psychiatric Assessment
Concepts & Historical Perspectives
- Subtopic: Definitions of Key Terms: Mental Health, Mental Illness, Psychosis, Neurosis, Psychopathology
- Subtopic: Biopsychosocial Model: Biological, Psychological, and Social Determinants of Mental Health
- Subtopic: Historical Evolution of Psychiatric Nursing Globally and Deinstitutionalization Trends
- Subtopic: History and Current Status of Mental Health Nursing Services in Uganda (Butabika Hospital Network)
- Subtopic: Stigma, Myths, Discrimination, and Human Rights Violations Associated with Mental Illness
Psychiatric History Taking & Mental State Examination
- Subtopic: Conducting a Psychiatric Clinical History: Chief Complaint, History of Present Illness, Family Tree
- Subtopic: Mental State Examination (MSE): General Appearance, Posture, Grooming, and Behavior
- Subtopic: MSE: Speech Assessment (Rate, Rhythm, Tone, Volume, Pressure of Speech, Poverty of Speech)
- Subtopic: MSE: Mood (Subjective Feeling State) vs. Affect (Objective Emotional Expression, Congruence)
- Subtopic: MSE: Thought Process Disorders (Flight of Ideas, Loosening of Associations, Tangentiality, Blocking)
- Subtopic: MSE: Thought Content Disorders (Delusions: Persecutory, Grandiose, Nihilistic, Ideas of Reference)
- Subtopic: MSE: Perceptual Disturbances (Auditory, Visual, Olfactory, Gustatory, Tactile Hallucinations & Illusions)
- Subtopic: MSE: Cognitive Evaluation (Orientation, Attention, Concentration, Immediate/Recent/Remote Memory)
- Subtopic: MSE: Abstract Thinking, Clinical Judgment, and Levels of Patient Insight (Grades 1 to 6)
THERAPEUTIC CARE • MODULE 2
Therapeutic Milieu, Nursing Interventions & Rehabilitation
The Nurse-Patient Relationship & Ward Environment
- Subtopic: Phases of the Nurse-Patient Therapeutic Relationship in Psychiatric Care
- Subtopic: Establishing Professional Boundaries: Managing Transference, Countertransference & Burnout
- Subtopic: Creating a Safe Therapeutic Ward Milieu: Structure, Safety Checks, Routine, and Predictability
- Subtopic: Structuring and Scheduling the Inpatient Day: Daily Routines and Group Dynamics
- Subtopic: Psychiatric Parole Policies: Assessment, Privileges, Leaves of Absence, and Risk Checks
- Subtopic: Care, Education, and Guidance for Visitors and Family Members of Mentally Ill Inpatients
Somatic & Psychosocial Therapies
- Subtopic: Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT): Indications, Preoperative Nursing Preparation, Fasting, Muscle Relaxants
- Subtopic: Intra-Procedure Assistance, Post-ECT Recovery Room Care, and Memory Deficit Monitoring
- Subtopic: Principles of Individual Supportive Psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Interventions
- Subtopic: Occupational Therapy (OT): Work Skills, Craft Making, Carpentry, and Gardening for Rehabilitation
- Subtopic: Recreational Therapy: Music, Sports, Expressive Arts, and Social Games for Psychiatric Patients
- Subtopic: Inpatient Resocialization Programs and Social Skills Training to Prepare for Re-Entry
MAJOR PSYCHOSES • MODULE 3
Affective (Mood) Disorders & Schizophrenia Spectrum
Affective (Mood) Disorders
- Subtopic: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Diagnostic Criteria, Neurobiology, and Symptoms
- Subtopic: Vegetative Depressive Signs: Anorexia, Severe Insomnia, Diurnal Variation, Psychomotor Retardation
- Subtopic: Nursing Care Plans for Severe Depression: Nutrition, Self-Care Deficit, Suicide Vigilance
- Subtopic: Bipolar Affective Disorder: Mania Characteristics (Grandiosity, Hyperactivity, Pressure of Speech)
- Subtopic: Hypomania vs. Acute Mania vs. Bipolar Depression: Cycle Patterns and Triggers
- Subtopic: Nursing Management of the Manic Patient: Setting Boundaries, Reducing Stimuli, High-Calorie Finger Foods
- Subtopic: Schizoaffective Disorder: Differentiating Affective and Schizophrenic Components
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
- Subtopic: Etiology and Dopamine Hypothesis of Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
- Subtopic: Bleuler’s Four As: Autism, Ambivalence, Inappropriate Affect, Loosening of Associations
- Subtopic: Schneider’s First-Rank Symptoms: Thought Insertion, Thought Withdrawal, Thought Broadcasting
- Subtopic: Positive Symptoms (Hallucinations, Delusions) vs. Negative Symptoms (Avolition, Alogia, Anhedonia)
- Subtopic: Clinical Subtypes: Paranoid, Catatonic (Stupor, Waxy Flexibility, Excitement), Disorganized (Hebephrenic)
- Subtopic: Comprehensive Nursing Interventions for Patients Experiencing Hallucinations and Delusions
NEUROSES & ORGANIC DISORDERS • MODULE 4
Neurotic, Dissociative & Organic Mental Disorders
Anxiety, Obsessive & Dissociative Disorders
- Subtopic: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Autonomic Arousal, Muscle Tension, and Apprehension
- Subtopic: Panic Disorder: Panic Attack Signs, Hyperventilation, and Nursing De-escalation
- Subtopic: Phobic Disorders: Agoraphobia, Social Phobia, Specific Phobias, and Desensitization Principles
- Subtopic: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Intrusive Obsessions, Compulsive Rituals & Anxiety
- Subtopic: Dissociative Disorders: Dissociative Amnesia, Dissociative Fugue, and Multiple Personality Disorder
- Subtopic: Conversion Disorders (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder): La Belle Indifférence
- Subtopic: Somatoform Disorders: Hypochondriasis and Somatization Disorder in General Clinics
Organic Mental Disorders & Substance Abuse
- Subtopic: Delirium (Acute Confusional State): Reversible Organic Etiologies, Fluctuating Course, Nursing Care
- Subtopic: Dementia (Major Neurocognitive Disorder): Alzheimer’s Disease, Vascular Dementia, Memory Loss
- Subtopic: Psychiatric Manifestations Secondary to Epilepsy: Ictal, Interictal, and Postictal Psychosis
- Subtopic: Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of HIV/AIDS: HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND)
- Subtopic: Alcohol Use Disorders: Acute Intoxication, Alcohol Dependence, Tolerance, and Withdrawal Syndromes
- Subtopic: Substance Abuse: Cannabis-Induced Psychosis, Khat (Miraa) Abuse, Opioids, and Sedatives
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PERSONALITY & PHARMACOLOGY • MODULE 5
Personality Disorders & Psychopharmacology
Personality Disorders
- Subtopic: Cluster A (Odd/Eccentric): Paranoid, Schizoid, and Schizotypal Personality Disorders
- Subtopic: Cluster B (Dramatic/Erratic): Borderline Personality Disorder (Splitting, Self-Harm)
- Subtopic: Cluster B: Antisocial Personality Disorder, Narcissistic, and Histrionic Personality Disorders
- Subtopic: Cluster C (Anxious/Fearful): Avoidant, Dependent, and Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorders
- Subtopic: Passive-Aggressive Personality Disorder and Sadistic Traits in Clinical Care
- Subtopic: Nursing Management Strategies and Establishing Clear Treatment Contracts
Clinical Psychopharmacology
- Subtopic: Typical Antipsychotics: Chlorpromazine, Haloperidol, Fluphenazine Decanoate Depot Injections
- Subtopic: Atypical Antipsychotics: Risperidone, Olanzapine, Clozapine (Agranulocytosis Monitoring)
- Subtopic: Extrapyramidal Side Effects (EPS): Acute Dystonia, Parkinsonism, Akathisia, Tardive Dyskinesia
- Subtopic: Emergency Recognition and Management of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
- Subtopic: Mood Stabilizers: Lithium Carbonate (Therapeutic Serum Level Monitoring and Toxicity Signs)
- Subtopic: Antidepressants: Tricyclics (Amitriptyline), SSRIs (Fluoxetine, Sertraline), SNRIs
- Subtopic: Anxiolytics and Hypnotics: Benzodiazepine Indications, Dosing, Tolerance, and Addiction Risks
EMERGENCY & JURISPRUDENCE • MODULE 6
Psychiatric Emergencies, Crisis De-Escalation & Forensic Law
Emergency Psychiatric Care
- Subtopic: Suicide Risk Assessment: Ideation, Intent, Plans, Lethality, and Continuous Suicide Watch
- Subtopic: Management of Severe Food Refusal and Catatonic Stupor in Inpatient Units
- Subtopic: Management of Violent, Aggressive, and Destructive Patients: Verbal De-escalation Techniques
- Subtopic: Safe Physical Restraint Protocols, Legal Restraint Guidelines, and Seclusion Unit Care
- Subtopic: Emergency Rapid Tranquilization: IM Antipsychotics and Benzodiazepine Protocols
- Subtopic: Managing Inpatient Elopement (Escape Tendencies) and Security Protocols
- Subtopic: Delirium Tremens Emergency Care: Hallucinations, Tremors, Autonomic Instability
- Subtopic: Status Epilepticus Emergency Anticonvulsant Nursing Protocols
- Subtopic: Managing Outbreaks of Epidemic Mass Hysteria in Schools and Institutions
Forensic Psychiatry & Mental Health Legislation
- Subtopic: The Mental Health Act of Uganda: Legal Framework, Patient Rights, and Protection
- Subtopic: Involuntary Admission, Emergency Detention Orders, and Voluntary Treatment Procedures
- Subtopic: Competence to Stand Trial, Criminal Responsibility, and the M'Naghten Rules
- Subtopic: Civil Competencies: Testamentary Capacity (Writing Wills), Managing Personal Property, Consent
- Subtopic: Legal and Ethical Responsibilities of Psychiatric Nurses: Confidentiality vs. Duty to Warn
PSYCHOSOCIAL TRAUMA • MODULE 7
Psychosocial Problems, Domestic Violence & Disaster Mental Health
Trauma, Gender-Based Violence & Societal Crises
- Subtopic: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Intrusive Flashbacks, Avoidance, Hyperarousal
- Subtopic: Acute Stress Disorder vs. Chronic Complex PTSD: Identification and Nursing Care
- Subtopic: Psychosocial Consequences of Rape, Defilement, and Sexual Assault
- Subtopic: Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): Safety Planning and Support
- Subtopic: Child Labour, Commercial Sexual Exploitation, and Juvenile Delinquency
- Subtopic: Psychological Impacts of Armed Conflict, Post-War Trauma, Refugee Displacement, and Disasters
- Subtopic: Complicated Grief, Traumatic Bereavement, and Collective Loss Following Community Tragedies
COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRY • MODULE 8
Community Mental Health, Home-Based Care & Prevention
Community Mental Health Delivery
- Subtopic: History and Principles of Community Mental Health Services in Uganda
- Subtopic: Models and Types of Community Mental Health Programs: Outreaches, Primary Care Integration
- Subtopic: Roles and Functions of the Community Psychiatric Nurse in Primary Health Centres
- Subtopic: Psychiatric Home Health Care: Home Visits, Assessing Domestic Milieu, Drug Adherence Monitoring
- Subtopic: Case Management for Chronic Mental Illness in the Community (The Assertive Outreach Model)
- Subtopic: Primary Prevention: Stress Inoculation, Mental Health Education, Suicide Awareness Campaigns
- Subtopic: Secondary Prevention: Early Case Detection, Clinic Screening, Prompt Relapse Prevention
- Subtopic: Tertiary Prevention: Community-Based Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Halfway Homes
- Subtopic: Identifying and Overcoming Cultural, Traditional, and Economic Barriers to Mental Health Treatment
- Subtopic: Community Psychiatric Referral Networks: Traditional Healers, VHTs, Police, Health Centres
DATA & REHABILITATION • MODULE 9
Mental Health Information Management & Long-Term Reintegration
Information Management in Mental Health
- Subtopic: Types and Sources of Mental Health Information: Clinical Inpatient/Outpatient Registers
- Subtopic: Methods of Recording, Storing, and Maintaining Strict Confidentiality of Psychiatric Records
- Subtopic: Analyzing and Interpreting Mental Health Metrics in District HMIS and DHIS2
- Subtopic: Utilizing Mental Health Data for Local Planning, Drug Ordering, and Budget Allocation
- Subtopic: Disseminating Mental Health Indicators to Policymakers and Community Stakeholders
Community Reintegration & Advocacy
Prescribed Textbooks & References
Core academic textbooks, clinical psychiatric manuals, and diagnostic references prescribed by the NCHE Bachelor of Nursing Science syllabus.
- Gelder, M., Mayou, R. & Geddes, J. (2008). Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry (5th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Townsend, M.C. (2002). Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Concepts of Care (4th ed.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company.
- Rawlins, R.P., Williams, S.R. & Beck, C.K. (1993). Mental Health-Psychiatric Nursing: A Holistic Life-Cycle Approach (3rd ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.
- Roberts, L.W. & Heinrich, T.W. (2009). Clinical Psychiatry Essentials. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- American Psychiatric Association (2000). Quick Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from DSM-IV-TR. Washington, D.C.: APA.
- Yonkers, K.A. & Little, B.B. (Eds.). (2001). Management of Psychiatric Disorders in Pregnancy. London: Arnold.
- World Health Organization (2010). mhGAP Intervention Guide for Mental, Neurological and Substance Use Disorders in Non-Specialized Health Settings. Geneva: WHO.
- Republic of Uganda (2018). The Mental Health Act, 2018. Entebbe: UPPC / Ministry of Health.
Follow your university’s current approved course outline for official course codes, teaching order and assessments. This directory organises supplementary revision resources.
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