Proof reading work
Antipsychotic medications are often prescribed as the main treatment for schizophrenia as they
can reduce the symptoms of psychosis by targeting dopamine receptors on the brain
(Ellenbroek, 2012; Patel & Jakopac, 2012). Although they are effective at treating the positive
symptoms of the illness one of the common side effects of this treatment is rapid weight gain
(Ellenbroek, 2012). As a result individuals on antipsychotic medication are often at increased
risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiac problems (Nash, 2010), which inevitably
Commented [BY1]: Make sure the full stop comes at the
end of the sentence. The citations should be included within
the sentence. Not sure which sentence refers Jakopac
Commented [BY2]: Do not require the author’s initials in
the citation
contributes to the high prevalence of these diseases within this population.
It is important for mental health nurses to recognise the role and responsibility they have in
helping to manage the physical health of those with schizophrenia in their care. Clow and
Edmunds (2013) highlight the significance of encouraging service users with schizophrenia to
ask clinicians for support and advice regarding becoming more physically active. They also
state that nurses should be able to educate service users and their family members about the
Commented [BY3]: Use they to indicate that you are
continuing to discuss these authors’ point of view
metabolic risks of medication, and provide lifestyle advice regarding physical activity. The
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2010) regard professional development as key to
maintaining high standards of competence in practice. This has been echoed within the
literature, for example Cormac (2012, p.7) states that ‘mental health nurses are responsible for
keeping their knowledge and skills of physical health up to date in order to spot the signs of
physical ill health and improve service user’s physical health through education about the
benefits of exercise’. Nash (2014) emphasises that physical health study should be a part of
the nursing process in mental health in order to provide high quality care to service users and
Commented [BY4]: Make sure you have a capital letter in
the author’s name
Commented [BY5]: A direct quote requires a page number
in the citation
Commented [BY6]: Remember to include the date of
publication
practice in a truly holistic manner. However it would appear that this notion is not necessarily
easy to achieve in practice. Research investigating mental health nurses attitudes towards
physical health and physical activity revealed that although they recognised the importance of
Commented [BY7]: Require references to support this
assertion
providing advice and opportunities for exercise in order to improve service user’s physical
health, they were not particularly confident in this aspect of their practice (Happell et al, 2012;
Howard & Gamble, 2011; Robson & Haddad, 2012). This may suggest that more attention is
Commented [BY8]: All the citations should be held within
one set of brackets)
needed in this area to ensure that mental health nurses have the knowledge and confidence to
direct service users with schizophrenia towards opportunities for physical activity in order to
improve their physical health and reduce the risk of developing diseases which are prevalent
within this population.
Commented [BY9]: Sentence is very long. Splitting into
two sentences would enhance this discussion.