Nurses can identify psychological symptoms through various methods, including:
- Patient Assessment: Conducting thorough assessments that include questions about mood, sleep patterns, appetite, and daily activities. - Observation: Noting changes in behavior, such as withdrawal from social interactions, agitation, or unusual mood swings. - Patient History: Reviewing the patient's medical history for any previous psychological issues or relevant family history. - Standardized Screening Tools: Utilizing tools like the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression or the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) for anxiety.
