Book excerpt: -- Uses the stress-adaptation model as its conceptual framework -- The latest classification of psychiatric disorders in DSM IV -- Access to 50 psychotropic drugs with client teaching guidelines on our website -- Each chapter based on DSM IV diagnoses includes tables with abstracts describing recent research studies pertaining to specific psychiatric diagnoses -- Within the DSM IV section, each chapter features a table with guidelines for client/family education appropriate to the specific diagnosis -- Four new chapters: Cognitive Therapy, Complementary Therapies, Psychiatric Home Health Care, and Forensic Nursing -- Includes critical pathways for working in case management situations -- Chapters include objectives, glossary, case studies using critical thinking, NCLEX-style chapter review questions, summaries, and care plans with documentation standards in the form of critical pathways -- The only source to thoroughly cover assertiveness training, self-esteem, and anger/aggression management -- Key elements include historic and epidemiologic factors; background assessment data, with predisposing factors/symptomatology for each disorder; common nursing diagnoses with standardized guidelines for intervention in care; and outcome criteria, guidelines for reassessment, evaluation of care, and specific medication/treatment modalities -- Special topics include the aging individual, the individual with HIV/AIDS, victims of violence, and ethical and legal issues in psychiatric/mental health nursing -- Includes information on the Mental Status exam, Beck depression scale, and Holmes & Rahe scale defense mechanisms criteria