This course provides nurses with an in-depth understanding of mental health medication management. It focuses on pharmacology, prescribing principles, and managing mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, and psychosis. Nurses will gain practical knowledge of the legal and ethical aspects of psychopharmacology, building confidence in managing medications in mental health settings.

Mental Health Medicines Management for Nurses

Recommended experience
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Understand the legal and ethical dimensions of medication management
Develop strategies to support patient adherence to psychotropic medications
Apply foundational knowledge of brain anatomy and pharmacology to clinical practice
Details to know

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June 2026
12 assignments
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There are 12 modules in this course
This module examines the legal frameworks and ethical principles guiding medicines management in mental health care. Learners will explore professional accountability, key legislation such as the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act, and ethical dilemmas through real-world case studies. The module emphasizes responsible, evidence-based decision-making in complex clinical situations.
What's included
1 video15 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
15 readings•Total 94 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- Accountability to the Professional Body•5 minutes
- Activity: Reflection•5 minutes
- Case Study: Mr Herczegfalvy•6 minutes
- Activity: Evidence-based Practice and Research•6 minutes
- Bioethics/Principlism•15 minutes
- Beneficence•5 minutes
- Mental Capacity Act 2005•5 minutes
- Case Study: Ms Re T•6 minutes
- Case Study: Mental Capacity Act 2005 Checklist•4 minutes
- Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards•6 minutes
- Ethical Conflicts•4 minutes
- Section 2•7 minutes
- Section 37•6 minutes
- Medicines Act 1968•8 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Legal and Ethical Foundations in Mental Health Care•16 minutes
This module examines the factors influencing adherence to psychotropic medication, including health beliefs, patient-provider relationships, and communication strategies. Learners will explore methods for assessing adherence, barriers to treatment, and practical techniques such as motivational interviewing to support patient autonomy and improve outcomes.
What's included
1 video14 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
14 readings•Total 78 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- Medication Adherence•6 minutes
- The Measurement of Adherence•6 minutes
- Perceived Benefits and Barriers•4 minutes
- Activity: Reflection•4 minutes
- Factors Influencing Adherence•6 minutes
- The Therapeutic Alliance and Adherence•6 minutes
- Benefits and Limitations of Medication•9 minutes
- Strategies for Improving Adherence to Medication•6 minutes
- Communication Style: Motivational Interviewing•4 minutes
- Autonomy and Support•5 minutes
- Therapeutic Skills Required for Motivational Interviewing•4 minutes
- Develop Discrepancy•4 minutes
- Collaboratively Address Risk Factors for Non-Adherence•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Therapeutic Alliance and Medication Adherence•16 minutes
This module introduces the foundational anatomy and physiology of the brain as it relates to psychopharmacology. Learners will explore key brain regions, neuron structure, neural development, and the mechanisms of chemical neurotransmission. The module also covers how brain scanning techniques have advanced our understanding of neural communication and drug action.
What's included
1 video8 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
8 readings•Total 51 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- Brain Scanning•4 minutes
- The Diencephalon•8 minutes
- The Cerebral Cortex•4 minutes
- The Structure of the Neuron•3 minutes
- Neural Development•6 minutes
- Chemical Neurotransmission•13 minutes
- Activity: Reflection•9 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Brain Anatomy and Neurotransmitter Systems•16 minutes
This module delves into the processes of medicine discovery, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics, while examining how genetic, ethnic, and clinical factors influence drug interactions and patient responses. Learners will explore ethical considerations in clinical trials, regulatory pathways for medicine approval, and real-world case studies on medicine interactions. The module also covers the mechanisms of pharmaceutical and metabolic interactions, including the role of CYP450 enzymes and transporter proteins.
What's included
1 video12 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
12 readings•Total 63 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Ethical Considerations in Clinical Trials•6 minutes
- Marketing•5 minutes
- The General Principles of Medicine Interactions•4 minutes
- Pharmaceutical Interactions•4 minutes
- Activity: Critical Thinking•6 minutes
- Induction or Inhibition of Medicine Transporter Proteins•5 minutes
- Activity: Decision-making•4 minutes
- CYP450 Enzymes•4 minutes
- Elimination•5 minutes
- The Importance of Ethnicity in Medicine Response and Interactions•5 minutes
- Differences in Psychotropic Medicine Responses Across Ethnic Minority Groups•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Pharmacology and Medicine Interactions Fundamentals•16 minutes
This module examines the collaborative roles of healthcare professionals in the safe prescribing, dispensing, and administration of medicines. Learners will explore best practices for patient consultations, medication management, and the legal responsibilities associated with controlled substances. Practical procedures for oral, injectable, and sublingual medication administration are also covered.
What's included
1 video13 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
13 readings•Total 69 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- The General Principles of Prescribing•3 minutes
- Establishing Rapport During Consultation•5 minutes
- Presenting Complaint and History of Current Illness•6 minutes
- Medication•6 minutes
- Pharmacy Practice in the Hospital Setting•6 minutes
- Activity: Critical Thinking•8 minutes
- Administration of Controlled Medicines/Drugs•4 minutes
- Oral Medication Administration Procedure•4 minutes
- Administration of Injections•6 minutes
- Choice of Needle•4 minutes
- Administering an Injection Using the Z-Track Technique•5 minutes
- Sublingual Administration•8 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Medicines Administration and Prescription Safety•16 minutes
This module examines the biological underpinnings of major depression, the mechanisms and classes of antidepressant medications, and evidence-based strategies for managing depressive disorders in clinical practice. Learners will explore both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment approaches, including considerations for special populations and safety concerns.
What's included
1 video10 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
10 readings•Total 51 minutes
- Introduction•4 minutes
- The Biological Mechanism That May Explain Depression•4 minutes
- The Monoamine Hypothesis and the Role of Glial Cells•3 minutes
- Common Disorders Known to Be Associated with Depression•4 minutes
- Mode of Action of TCAs•4 minutes
- Mode of Action of MAOIs•5 minutes
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors•11 minutes
- Suicidality in Children and Adolescents•4 minutes
- Treatment and Management of Depression•6 minutes
- Overdose•6 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Antidepressant Therapies and Their Implications•16 minutes
This module examines the clinical features and underlying mechanisms of bipolar disorder, with a focus on differentiating it from other mood disorders. Learners will explore the pharmacological management of bipolar disorder, including mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants, and atypical antipsychotics, as well as practical considerations for patient care. Case-based activities will reinforce critical thinking in real-world treatment scenarios.
What's included
1 video8 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
8 readings•Total 55 minutes
- Introduction•7 minutes
- Differentiating Bipolar Depression from Unipolar or Major Depression•5 minutes
- Common Disorders and Medicines Associated with Mania•13 minutes
- Activity: Critical Thinking•4 minutes
- Anticonvulsants•7 minutes
- Carbamazepine•7 minutes
- Lamotrigine•5 minutes
- Atypical Antipsychotics•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Bipolar Disorder Treatment and Medication Considerations•16 minutes
This module examines the causes and biological mechanisms underlying psychotic disorders, with a focus on the pharmacological management of symptoms using various classes of antipsychotic medications. Learners will explore the side effect profiles of different treatments, strategies for improving medication adherence, and special considerations for vulnerable patient groups. Practical guidance on avoiding common treatment errors is also provided.
What's included
1 video9 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
9 readings•Total 66 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Activity: Critical Thinking•6 minutes
- Treatment of Positive Symptoms•5 minutes
- Second-Generation 'Atypical' Antipsychotics•5 minutes
- Partial Agonists and the Treatment of Psychosis•14 minutes
- Non-Extrapyramidal Side Effects of Antipsychotics•13 minutes
- Long-term Depot Medication•4 minutes
- Special Considerations•7 minutes
- Common Treatment Errors to Avoid•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Psychotic Disorder Management and Treatment•16 minutes
This module delves into the clinical features of dementia, the underlying neurobiological theories, and current pharmacological treatments. Learners will also explore strategies for managing psychiatric symptoms and effective communication techniques for patient care. By the end, you will be equipped to recognize treatment options and avoid common pitfalls in dementia management.
What's included
1 video5 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
5 readings•Total 31 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Amyloid Cascade and Neurofibrillary Theory•4 minutes
- Care and Management of People with Dementia•7 minutes
- Pharmacological Approaches to Dementia•8 minutes
- Management of the Psychiatric Symptoms of Dementia•7 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Dementia Care and Treatment Essentials•16 minutes
This module delves into the biological and psychological mechanisms underlying anxiety disorders, reviews pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment options, and addresses strategies for managing medication side effects. Learners will also explore the relationship between anxiety and physical illnesses, and develop skills for effective patient communication.
What's included
1 video8 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
8 readings•Total 45 minutes
- Introduction•5 minutes
- Symptoms of Anxiety•5 minutes
- The Cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical Loop and the Generation of Worry•4 minutes
- Physical Illnesses Associated with Anxiety•5 minutes
- When to Consider Antidepressants for Anxiety Disorders•6 minutes
- Side Effects of Benzodiazepines•5 minutes
- Azaspirones•4 minutes
- Treatment and Management of Anxiety Subtypes•11 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Anxiety Disorders: Treatment and Neurobiology•16 minutes
This module delves into the neurobiological foundations of substance misuse, reviews pharmacological and psychosocial treatment strategies for alcohol and drug dependence, and emphasizes effective patient communication and individualized care. Learners will explore real-world scenarios to apply critical thinking in managing complex cases of substance use disorders.
What's included
1 video10 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
10 readings•Total 62 minutes
- Introduction•6 minutes
- The Dopamine Theory of Reward•5 minutes
- The Treatment of Substance Use Disorders•4 minutes
- Alcohol•7 minutes
- Alcohol Detoxification•5 minutes
- Activity: Critical Thinking•6 minutes
- Disulfiram•4 minutes
- Care and Management of Drug Abuse and Dependence•5 minutes
- Opiates•9 minutes
- Activity: Critical Thinking•11 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Substance Use Disorder Management and Treatment•16 minutes
This module examines the causes, types, and management strategies for adverse drug reactions, with a focus on psychotropic medications. Learners will explore real-world case studies, assess side effect profiles, and develop approaches for both routine and emergency scenarios. The module also covers specific side effects such as extrapyramidal symptoms, tardive dyskinesia, and hematological complications.
What's included
1 video11 readings1 assignment
1 video•Total 1 minute
- Overview•1 minute
11 readings•Total 63 minutes
- Introduction•8 minutes
- The Management of Psychotropic Side Effects•5 minutes
- Negative Therapeutic Reaction and Experience•4 minutes
- Activity: Critical Thinking•6 minutes
- Extrapyramidal Side Effects and Their Management•5 minutes
- Tardive Dyskinesia•6 minutes
- Activity: Critical Thinking•5 minutes
- Haematological and Hepatic Effects•4 minutes
- Sedation•6 minutes
- Postural Hypotension•5 minutes
- Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)•9 minutes
1 assignment•Total 16 minutes
- Medicine Safety and Side Effect Management•16 minutes
Instructor

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Felipe M.

Jennifer J.

Larry W.

Chaitanya A.
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