The patient as person

Abstract

Communication is a skill that underpins all mental health nursing interventions. Self-harm and suicidal behaviour need to be differentiated. Assessment of client risk behaviours is an essential part of assessment. Effective intervention can be implemented when working with people who exhibit aggressive, violent, self-harming and suicidal behaviour. Patient choice and informed consent underlie care considerations in regard to patients who exhibit challenging behaviour. The individual strengthsand limitations of the nurse and client must be recognised and considered in care planning and delivery.