Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 11
Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering these questions. Write your answers in your Study Diary and discuss them with your Tutor at the next Study Support Meeting. You can check your answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment Questions at the end of this Module.
SAQ 11.1 (tests Learning Outcomes 11.1 and 11.2)
Which of the following statements are false? In each case explain why it is incorrect.
A Clients who receive medication for their aggressive behaviour should be informed about the possible unwanted side effects of the treatment.
B People with traditional beliefs like the idea that mental illness is caused by a curse should be directly challenged and told they are wrong and silly.
C If a patient behaves aggressively you should apply physical punishment.
D Encouraging emotional expression and keeping a client’s sensitive information confidential are two principles of a good approach.
Answer
A is true. If the client and their family know about the side effects of drugs it will reduce their anxiety and it may make them more tolerant to mild adverse effects. They also need to know about possible serious unwanted effects, so that they can recognise these easily and ask for help from you or the treating doctor immediately.
B is false. Traditional beliefs have been around for many generations and are often embedded in the community’s culture. A key principle of a good approach to your community members is to be non-judgemental and show them respect regardless of their beliefs. People should thus not be told they are silly and wrong, but instead should be educated about mental health problems and their treatment in a respectful way.
C is false. Patients should not be punished for their behaviour when they are mentally ill. They may behave aggressively because they are not aware of what they are doing or they are not able to control their actions. Rather than being punished, they should receive appropriate treatment.
D is true. You have learned that expression of emotion is one way of relieving the client from their tension. Keeping a client’s sensitive information confidential is ethical and helps to build a good relationship between you and your client.
SAQ 11.2 (tests Learning Outcomes 11.1, 11.3 and 11.4)
Neighbours of Mr Teklu reported to you that they have heard him talking loudly when there was no one there. He thinks everyone in the neighbourhood is against him. Identify what type of problem Mr Teklu has and what you can do in this situation.
Answer
Mr Teklu thinks everyone in his neighbourhood is against him, which is indicative of paranoid delusion. It also seems that he hears things that aren’t there, which is described as hallucination (as discussed in Study Session 10). Both delusions and hallucinations are characteristics of psychosis. Because Mr Teklu is paranoid, make sure to not hide information from him; don’t tell him that his beliefs are wrong and don’t pass any judgement. Try to collect more information about Mr Telku, for instance about other problems he may have. Psychosis is a serious illness, so you should refer Mr Telku to a healthcentre or hospital.
SAQ 11.3 (tests Learning Outcomes 11.3, 11.4 and 11.5)
- a.While doing your routine health care activity, you meet Mrs Mulu, a 27-year-old married mother of one, who acts in a confused way. You are informed that she has fallen on her head following a fit. Explain what Mrs Mulu’s problems are and how you should proceed.
- b.A few months later you meet Mrs Mulu again. After a period of treatment, Mrs Mulu failed to take her medication and developed frequent fits that took a long time before she regained consciousness. How should you handle this new situation and prevent it from happening again in the future?
Answer
- a.Mrs Mulu manifested with confusion following an epileptic attack. The confusion may be because of epilepsy or may be the consequence of her head injury, therefore she should be referred to a health centre or a hospital urgently.
- b.Mrs Mulu has poor adherence to treatment which resulted in a serious medical emergency. She requires first aid and immediate referral accompanied by a health worker or responsible family member. After giving emergency care and referring Mrs Mulu to the health centre or hospital, you need to find out why she has not been taking her medication. This may be because of her poor knowledge of the disease course and need of treatment; in that case you need to educate Mrs Mulu and her family about her condition. If Mrs Mulu has difficulty accessing the treatment you could decide to collect the drugs from the doctor yourself, or ask a member of Mrs Mulu’s family to do this for her.
SAQ 11.4 (tests Learning Outcome 11.5)
Suppose a man with psychosis has received treatment at Amanuel Hospital with a drug called chlorpromazine. After treatment he improved and was sent to you for follow-up. List which aspects are important to discuss during follow-up.
Answer
During follow-up it is important to find out how your client is doing, whether his condition has improved and how he feels more generally, for instance whether he has been able to start working again. You should also ask whether he is taking the medication as prescribed by the doctor, whether he has developed any unwanted effects, and whether any follow-up visits to the treating doctor are planned.
Summary of Study Session 11