Key Terms
Patient willingness
Some patients refuse due to past trauma, stigma, or barriers; approach with empathy, establish trust and rapport first
Current health status
Physical illness can mimic mental health symptoms
Culture-bound syndromes
Culture-specific reactions to stress
ANA Standard
Respectful and Equitable Practice (2021 Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice)
Health literacy
Patient's ability to access and understand basic health information
Communication barriers
Any factor that interrupts or complicates information exchange
Current stressors
Minimize stressors before assessment
Previous negative experiences
Past trauma in healthcare settings can make patients reluctant to share; nurse must reassure, be patient, and give adequ
Mood
Short-lived emotional state; can be described as neutral, elevated, anxious, angry, sad, irritable, dysphoric (depressed
Affect
Patient's expression of emotion
Congruence
Consistency between verbal and nonverbal communication
Attitude
Emotional tone toward the examiner, others, or their illness; may show hostility, anger, helplessness, pessimism, overdr
Abstract thinking
Ability to think about objects, principles, or ideas not physically present Affect: physical expression of emotional sta
Concrete thinking
Literal; takes information at face value; cannot apply beyond the present
Mental clarity
Allows processing of thoughts and abstract ideas; enables decision-making and meaningful conversation