Antipsychotic medications are the cornerstone of treatment for schizophrenia and other thought disorders, but their use requires careful nursing oversight. In this episode, we’ll unpack the classifications of antipsychotics, comparing typical (first-generation) and atypical (second-generation) agents, and explain their mechanisms of action—primarily through dopamine and serotonin receptor blockade. We’ll discuss key prototypes, including Chlorpromazine, Haloperidol, and Clozapine, while highlighting the goals of therapy, from short-term symptom relief to long-term functional recovery. Special attention will be given to the adverse effects of these drugs, including extrapyramidal symptoms such as acute dystonia, akathisia, parkinsonism, and tardive dyskinesia, along with life-threatening complications like anticholinergic crisis and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Throughout, we’ll emphasize the nurse’s vital role in monitoring, early recognition, patient education, and intervention, ensuring safe and effective use of these powerful medications.

Schizophrenia is one of the most challenging psychiatric disorders, marked by profound disruptions in thought, perception, and behavior. In this episode, we’ll break down the clinical features of schizophrenia, from positive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions to negative symptoms such as flat affect and anhedonia. We’ll explore its epidemiology, risk factors, and diverse clinical courses, alongside underlying neurobiological findings like neurotransmitter imbalances and structural brain changes. Nursing care is at the forefront, with a focus on comprehensive assessment, therapeutic interventions, patient education, and safety—particularly suicide risk prevention and management of antipsychotic side effects. We’ll also differentiate schizophrenia from related psychotic disorders, including schizophreniform and brief psychotic disorder, and revisit Bleuler’s “4 A’s” as a cornerstone in understanding this complex condition. Through a holistic lens, we’ll emphasize not only symptom management but also advocacy, recovery, and support for patients and families.

Bipolar disorder is more than just “mood swings”—it’s a complex psychiatric condition characterized by profound shifts in mood, energy, and functioning that can severely impact daily life. In this episode, we’ll explore the spectrum of bipolar disorders, including Bipolar I, Bipolar II, and Cyclothymic Disorder, highlighting the differences in episode severity and duration. We’ll break down hallmark symptoms such as mania, hypomania, depression, and mood lability, while also examining epidemiology, comorbidities, and common triggers across the lifespan. Nursing priorities take center stage, with an emphasis on psychological assessment, patient safety, and strategies for preventing harmful outcomes like suicide or destructive behaviors. We’ll also cover treatment approaches, including mood stabilizers, adjunct therapies, and psychosocial interventions, alongside the vital role of patient and family education. Finally, we’ll discuss how nurses can support long-term recovery and mental health promotion during remission, ensuring continuity of care and empowerment for patients and families alike.

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions worldwide, yet its complexity often makes it challenging to recognize and manage. In this episode, we’ll take a comprehensive look at depressive disorders through the lens of the DSM-5, exploring clinical symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and the spectrum of presentations. We’ll discuss epidemiology, key risk factors, and the critical role of safety and suicide risk assessments in nursing practice. Treatment approaches will be highlighted, including pharmacologic therapies such as SSRIs, SNRIs, and MAOIs, alongside psychotherapeutic and somatic interventions like CBT, ECT, and rTMS. We’ll also cover essential nursing priorities—patient education, monitoring for complications like serotonin syndrome or antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, and providing holistic, individualized care to support recovery and safety.

Anxiety is a universal human experience—but when it becomes overwhelming, persistent, or disruptive, it transforms into a clinical disorder that demands skilled nursing care. In this episode, we’ll explore the full spectrum of anxiety, beginning with its definition and the distinction between normal and abnormal presentations. We’ll walk through the four degrees of anxiety—mild, moderate, severe, and panic—and their impact on perception, learning, and functioning. Specific disorders including Panic Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Specific Phobias, and Social Phobia will be unpacked with attention to diagnostic criteria, risk factors, and underlying pathophysiology. Finally, we’ll cover nursing priorities and interventions—from emergency response to panic attacks, to long-term strategies like medication, psychoeducation, and therapeutic techniques—emphasizing a comprehensive, individualized approach that ensures both safety and empowerment for patients.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is far more than just a preference for order—it’s a complex condition marked by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors that disrupt daily life. In this episode, we’ll define obsessions and compulsions, review the diagnostic criteria, and discuss how these patterns interfere with functioning despite the individual’s awareness of their irrational nature. We’ll explore the epidemiology of OCD, including typical age of onset and prevalence, along with physiological factors such as genetic influences and biochemical imbalances. Nursing assessments and management strategies will be highlighted, covering psychopharmacology, patient education, and behavioral techniques like response prevention and thought stopping. Finally, we’ll distinguish OCD from related disorders—trichotillomania, excoriation disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, and hoarding disorder—equipping nurses with the knowledge to provide accurate, compassionate, and effective care.

This episode explores the holistic approach to geropsychiatric nursing assessment, highlighting how to distinguish between normal aging processes and common mental health challenges in older adults. We’ll review the major domains of assessment—biophysical, psychological, and social—while examining effective data collection techniques, key physiological changes, guiding principles for assessment, and the importance of suicide risk evaluation in geriatric care.

Delirium and dementia are often confused, but they represent very different disruptions of brain function—and neither should be considered a normal part of aging. In this episode, we’ll break down the key distinctions: delirium’s sudden onset and fluctuating course versus dementia’s slow, progressive decline. We’ll also dive into Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, exploring its hallmark features such as memory loss, aphasia, and apraxia, along with the role of plaques and tangles in disease progression. Finally, we’ll highlight critical nursing priorities, from ensuring patient safety to supporting caregivers, and review pharmacologic treatments designed to manage symptoms and slow decline.

Psychiatric-mental health nursing is built on a foundation of ethics, patient rights, and compassionate care. In this episode, we’ll explore the essential principles that guide practice—from autonomy, beneficence, and justice to veracity and fidelity—and how they shape the nurse-patient relationship. We’ll also examine cultural and spiritual influences on mental health, legal considerations such as informed consent and the least restrictive environment, and the continuum of psychiatric care. Listeners will gain insight into the nursing process in psychiatric settings, therapeutic interventions like cognitive-behavioral therapies and group approaches, and strategies for managing anger, aggression, violence, and suicide risk. Finally, we’ll reflect on the historical evolution of mental health care, the persistent impact of stigma, and the nurse’s vital role in promoting recovery through empathy, communication, and therapeutic relationships.

In this high-impact episode of Deep Dive Nursing, we deliver a comprehensive pediatric nursing review designed to help you prep smarter for exams and clinical success. From atraumatic care principles to pediatric behavioral health, and from cardiovascular and GI systems to immunizations, infectious diseases, and more — we cover it all. We’ll also break down neuro, respiratory, GU, musculoskeletal systems, growth and development milestones, and wrap up with key points on pediatric morbidity and mortality. Whether you're studying for the HESI, NCLEX, or need a solid refresher, this episode is your go-to guide for pediatric nursing mastery.