lOMoAR cPSD| 57629747
NURS307 STUDY GUIDE 2026 Midterm One
, lOMoAR cPSD| 57629747
Chapter 11: The Assessment Process
Assessment is a systematic and ongoing process that involves gathering, validating, analyzing, and documenting health–illness
information. It is client-centered and includes the client, family, nurse, and interdisciplinary team. The nurse’s role is to develop a
therapeutic relationship while collecting information that supports recovery and reintegration into the community.
The Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses (CFMHN) emphasizes that assessment should be holistic and collaborative,
involving respectful interviewing, observation, and consultation, while upholding confidentiality and relevant legal
requirements. Assessment includes analyzing the client’s physical, psychological, and social health, as well as their risk to
themselves and others. Past trauma and substance use are also important considerations.
Components of a Health History: include general data such as demographics, the chief complaint, history of present illness, past
medical history, family history, and a psychosocial and lifestyle history that covers employment, education, substance use,
trauma, sexual health, exercise, nutrition, sleep, living situation, support networks, and cultural or spiritual practices. A review
of systems is used to explore overall health and potential problems. These histories are primarily subjective data, while physical
exams and diagnostic testing provide objective information.
Sexual Health History should include discussion of intercourse, STI history, pregnancy plans, protection methods, and
whether the person can engage in sexual activity without pain. Nurses must consider the effects of certain
medications on fertility and pregnancy, as well as screen for infections such as syphilis. A harm reduction perspective
is used when clients engage in high-risk lifestyles, aiming to support safety and health without judgment.
A comprehensive health assessment integrates subjective data from the health history, objective findings from the physical
exam, and results from diagnostic testing.
The Mental Status Exam is a focused and highly subjective assessment of psychological, emotional, social, and neurological
functioning. It looks at thought processes, perceptions, cognition, insight, and judgment. For example, assessing if thoughts are
logical or scattered, if the client perceives internal or external stimuli, and whether they understand their illness and the
consequences of decisions. Safety and risk assessment is central to the MSE, particularly identifying risks of self-harm, suicide,
assault, or homicide.
Effective interviewing requires a safe and comfortable environment, appropriate negotiation of time, and attention to both
verbal and nonverbal communication. Nurses should begin with less sensitive topics, avoid jargon, use silence effectively, and
end with closure and future planning. Barriers include asking too many closed questions, making assumptions, or ignoring
emotions.
Documentation can follow either a source-oriented approach (separate records for each discipline) or a problem-oriented
approach (all providers document in one shared section). Information may be recorded in narrative notes, checklists, or
electronic medical records.
Chapter 12: Care Planning and Implementation
Care planning is a collaborative, client-centered, and evidence-based process. It involves establishing both short- and long-term
goals of care that address biological, psychosocial, social, and spiritual needs. These goals must reflect the client’s values and
preferences and are revised as outcomes are evaluated.
Person- and Family-Centered Nursing Practice: recognizes individuals and their families as true partners in care. Collaboration
means working together toward shared goals while acknowledging cultural influences and trauma histories. Trauma-informed
care requires sensitivity to triggers, such as conducting invasive procedures slowly, step-by-step, and with consent at each stage.
, lOMoAR cPSD| 57629747
Nursing care focuses on specific identified issues and sets measurable, neutral goals that describe the desired outcomes. Nursing
interventions are based on judgment and knowledge, aiming to help the client achieve these goals.
Biologic Nursing Interventions: address physical functioning, such as promoting self-care, nutrition, hydration, sleep, activity,
relaxation, thermoregulation, pain control, and safe medication management.
Psychological interventions: target emotion, behavior, and cognition through counseling, conflict resolution, behavior
modification, cognitive interventions, psychoeducation, and health teaching.
Social Interventions: focus on environmental influences, using approaches such as milieu therapy, validation, structured
interaction, and open communication.
Safety Interventions: include close observation, de-escalation, seclusion, restraint, and community outreach, always balancing
client dignity and protection.
Spiritual Interventions: emphasize receptivity, humanity, competence, and positivity, ensuring that the client’s meaning-making
systems are respected.
Health education follows the EASE framework: engaging clients in collaborative planning, assessing literacy and preferred
learning styles, strategizing with tools and supports, and evaluating learning with feedback such as teach-back.
Evaluation of care goals asks whether interventions benefited the client, whether satisfaction was achieved, whether the care
focus was appropriate, and whether interventions were cost-effective. Documentation is essential for tracking client status,
progress, and satisfaction with care.
Chapter 13: Psychopharmacology and Other Biologic Treatments
Psychopharmacology: is the scientific study of how drugs affect the brain, mind, and behavior. Psychotropic drugs are used to
treat mental disorders by targeting the central nervous system. Understanding their pharmacokinetics (what the body does to
the drug) and pharmacodynamics (what the drug does to the body) is essential for safe practice.
Key concepts include efficacy (benefit under ideal conditions) versus effectiveness (benefit in real-world conditions). Safety
concerns include side effects, adverse reactions, and drug–drug interactions. Adherence is a major issue influenced by side
effects, beliefs, stigma, financial concerns, or misunderstanding of instructions. Nurses play an important role in patient
teaching, exploring reasons for non-adherence, and promoting safe use.
Definitions
Efficacy: capacity of a drug to produce a particular benefit under ideal conditions
Effectiveness: capacity of an intervention to produce a particular benefit in a real word setting
Drug-Safety: adverse drug reactions, side effects
Pharmacokinetics: what the body does to the medication
Pharmodynamics: what the drug does to the body
Pharmacogenetics: variations in drug response due to genetic makeup
Polymorphic Genes: genes which vary widely from person to person
messages.downloaded_by
, lOMoAR cPSD| 57629747
Tolerance: decrease in response to a mediation or substance used repeatedly
Resistance: ability to withstand the previously destructive effects of a medication by microorganisms or tumor cells
Drugs act at four sites: receptors, ion channels, enzymes, and carrier proteins. Receptors bind neurotransmitters such as
dopamine and serotonin. Drugs may mimic these chemicals (agonists), block them (antagonists), partially mimic them (partial
agonists), or create opposite effects (inverse agonists). Ion channel drugs may open or block flow (e.g., benzodiazepines
enhancing GABA). Enzyme inhibitors, such as MAOIs, prevent the breakdown of neurotransmitters. Carrier protein blockers,
such as SSRIs, prevent reuptake, leaving more neurotransmitters available in the synapse.
Receptors: proteins that are embedded within the cell membrane and have binding sites for both naturally occurring
chemical and drugs
Endogenous: brain chemical involved in neurotransmission. Administered drugs may compete with neurotransmitters for these
receptors by mimicking or blocking action of neurotransmitters.
Agonists: same biologic ction as neurotransmitter itself
Antagonists: blocks the biologic action of an agonist given receptor
Partial Agonists: produce a partial response (only half attaches, still some open but only produces a partial response Inverse
Agonist: produces an opposite response if the neurotransmitter (ex. narcan will make an opposite response, kick everything
out and get completely different response
Absorption:
Absorption Rate Constant
Bioavailability
Distribution: Apparent Distribution Volume Unbound
Fraction
Elimination: Rate
Clearance
ex. labs can play a role because if for example tylenol is Renal Clearance
metabolized by the liver (this poor liver function, cirrhosis, Metabolic Clearance
meaning not metabolized as while more in system, or cause Fraction Excreted Unchanged
liver to work harder further damaging it) Elimination Rate Constant
GFR of 30= CKD at higher stage and drug in metabolized in Biologic Half-Life
kidneys the drug wont be metabolized as well, more sitting in
the body
Drug Toxicity: concentration of the drug in the body is greater than the safe range and may become harmful
Therapeutic Index: a ratio (median toxic dose/median effective dose)
Dosing: administration of a medication over time, so therapeutic levels can be reached
Steady State: the drug accumulates and plateaus at a particular level, rate of accumulation is determined by half life. when the
rate of drug input is equal to the rate of drug elimination (steady state achieved)
Pharmacokinetics involves four phases: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Factors such as age (alteration in
gastric absorption, liver metabolism decreases with age), renal and liver function, genetic makeup, and ethnicity affect how
NURS307 STUDY GUIDE 2026 Midterm One
, lOMoAR cPSD| 57629747
Chapter 11: The Assessment Process
Assessment is a systematic and ongoing process that involves gathering, validating, analyzing, and documenting health–illness
information. It is client-centered and includes the client, family, nurse, and interdisciplinary team. The nurse’s role is to develop a
therapeutic relationship while collecting information that supports recovery and reintegration into the community.
The Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses (CFMHN) emphasizes that assessment should be holistic and collaborative,
involving respectful interviewing, observation, and consultation, while upholding confidentiality and relevant legal
requirements. Assessment includes analyzing the client’s physical, psychological, and social health, as well as their risk to
themselves and others. Past trauma and substance use are also important considerations.
Components of a Health History: include general data such as demographics, the chief complaint, history of present illness, past
medical history, family history, and a psychosocial and lifestyle history that covers employment, education, substance use,
trauma, sexual health, exercise, nutrition, sleep, living situation, support networks, and cultural or spiritual practices. A review
of systems is used to explore overall health and potential problems. These histories are primarily subjective data, while physical
exams and diagnostic testing provide objective information.
Sexual Health History should include discussion of intercourse, STI history, pregnancy plans, protection methods, and
whether the person can engage in sexual activity without pain. Nurses must consider the effects of certain
medications on fertility and pregnancy, as well as screen for infections such as syphilis. A harm reduction perspective
is used when clients engage in high-risk lifestyles, aiming to support safety and health without judgment.
A comprehensive health assessment integrates subjective data from the health history, objective findings from the physical
exam, and results from diagnostic testing.
The Mental Status Exam is a focused and highly subjective assessment of psychological, emotional, social, and neurological
functioning. It looks at thought processes, perceptions, cognition, insight, and judgment. For example, assessing if thoughts are
logical or scattered, if the client perceives internal or external stimuli, and whether they understand their illness and the
consequences of decisions. Safety and risk assessment is central to the MSE, particularly identifying risks of self-harm, suicide,
assault, or homicide.
Effective interviewing requires a safe and comfortable environment, appropriate negotiation of time, and attention to both
verbal and nonverbal communication. Nurses should begin with less sensitive topics, avoid jargon, use silence effectively, and
end with closure and future planning. Barriers include asking too many closed questions, making assumptions, or ignoring
emotions.
Documentation can follow either a source-oriented approach (separate records for each discipline) or a problem-oriented
approach (all providers document in one shared section). Information may be recorded in narrative notes, checklists, or
electronic medical records.
Chapter 12: Care Planning and Implementation
Care planning is a collaborative, client-centered, and evidence-based process. It involves establishing both short- and long-term
goals of care that address biological, psychosocial, social, and spiritual needs. These goals must reflect the client’s values and
preferences and are revised as outcomes are evaluated.
Person- and Family-Centered Nursing Practice: recognizes individuals and their families as true partners in care. Collaboration
means working together toward shared goals while acknowledging cultural influences and trauma histories. Trauma-informed
care requires sensitivity to triggers, such as conducting invasive procedures slowly, step-by-step, and with consent at each stage.
, lOMoAR cPSD| 57629747
Nursing care focuses on specific identified issues and sets measurable, neutral goals that describe the desired outcomes. Nursing
interventions are based on judgment and knowledge, aiming to help the client achieve these goals.
Biologic Nursing Interventions: address physical functioning, such as promoting self-care, nutrition, hydration, sleep, activity,
relaxation, thermoregulation, pain control, and safe medication management.
Psychological interventions: target emotion, behavior, and cognition through counseling, conflict resolution, behavior
modification, cognitive interventions, psychoeducation, and health teaching.
Social Interventions: focus on environmental influences, using approaches such as milieu therapy, validation, structured
interaction, and open communication.
Safety Interventions: include close observation, de-escalation, seclusion, restraint, and community outreach, always balancing
client dignity and protection.
Spiritual Interventions: emphasize receptivity, humanity, competence, and positivity, ensuring that the client’s meaning-making
systems are respected.
Health education follows the EASE framework: engaging clients in collaborative planning, assessing literacy and preferred
learning styles, strategizing with tools and supports, and evaluating learning with feedback such as teach-back.
Evaluation of care goals asks whether interventions benefited the client, whether satisfaction was achieved, whether the care
focus was appropriate, and whether interventions were cost-effective. Documentation is essential for tracking client status,
progress, and satisfaction with care.
Chapter 13: Psychopharmacology and Other Biologic Treatments
Psychopharmacology: is the scientific study of how drugs affect the brain, mind, and behavior. Psychotropic drugs are used to
treat mental disorders by targeting the central nervous system. Understanding their pharmacokinetics (what the body does to
the drug) and pharmacodynamics (what the drug does to the body) is essential for safe practice.
Key concepts include efficacy (benefit under ideal conditions) versus effectiveness (benefit in real-world conditions). Safety
concerns include side effects, adverse reactions, and drug–drug interactions. Adherence is a major issue influenced by side
effects, beliefs, stigma, financial concerns, or misunderstanding of instructions. Nurses play an important role in patient
teaching, exploring reasons for non-adherence, and promoting safe use.
Definitions
Efficacy: capacity of a drug to produce a particular benefit under ideal conditions
Effectiveness: capacity of an intervention to produce a particular benefit in a real word setting
Drug-Safety: adverse drug reactions, side effects
Pharmacokinetics: what the body does to the medication
Pharmodynamics: what the drug does to the body
Pharmacogenetics: variations in drug response due to genetic makeup
Polymorphic Genes: genes which vary widely from person to person
messages.downloaded_by
, lOMoAR cPSD| 57629747
Tolerance: decrease in response to a mediation or substance used repeatedly
Resistance: ability to withstand the previously destructive effects of a medication by microorganisms or tumor cells
Drugs act at four sites: receptors, ion channels, enzymes, and carrier proteins. Receptors bind neurotransmitters such as
dopamine and serotonin. Drugs may mimic these chemicals (agonists), block them (antagonists), partially mimic them (partial
agonists), or create opposite effects (inverse agonists). Ion channel drugs may open or block flow (e.g., benzodiazepines
enhancing GABA). Enzyme inhibitors, such as MAOIs, prevent the breakdown of neurotransmitters. Carrier protein blockers,
such as SSRIs, prevent reuptake, leaving more neurotransmitters available in the synapse.
Receptors: proteins that are embedded within the cell membrane and have binding sites for both naturally occurring
chemical and drugs
Endogenous: brain chemical involved in neurotransmission. Administered drugs may compete with neurotransmitters for these
receptors by mimicking or blocking action of neurotransmitters.
Agonists: same biologic ction as neurotransmitter itself
Antagonists: blocks the biologic action of an agonist given receptor
Partial Agonists: produce a partial response (only half attaches, still some open but only produces a partial response Inverse
Agonist: produces an opposite response if the neurotransmitter (ex. narcan will make an opposite response, kick everything
out and get completely different response
Absorption:
Absorption Rate Constant
Bioavailability
Distribution: Apparent Distribution Volume Unbound
Fraction
Elimination: Rate
Clearance
ex. labs can play a role because if for example tylenol is Renal Clearance
metabolized by the liver (this poor liver function, cirrhosis, Metabolic Clearance
meaning not metabolized as while more in system, or cause Fraction Excreted Unchanged
liver to work harder further damaging it) Elimination Rate Constant
GFR of 30= CKD at higher stage and drug in metabolized in Biologic Half-Life
kidneys the drug wont be metabolized as well, more sitting in
the body
Drug Toxicity: concentration of the drug in the body is greater than the safe range and may become harmful
Therapeutic Index: a ratio (median toxic dose/median effective dose)
Dosing: administration of a medication over time, so therapeutic levels can be reached
Steady State: the drug accumulates and plateaus at a particular level, rate of accumulation is determined by half life. when the
rate of drug input is equal to the rate of drug elimination (steady state achieved)
Pharmacokinetics involves four phases: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Factors such as age (alteration in
gastric absorption, liver metabolism decreases with age), renal and liver function, genetic makeup, and ethnicity affect how
