Chapter 14: Bipolar Disorders Flashcards
Which behaviour exhibited by a person with mania should the nurse choose to address first?
a. The immediate safety of the person and other patients on the unit is the priority. Limits regarding patient-to-patient contact and relations should be communicated, and behaviour should be monitored.
b. While excessive spending of money is commonly found in mania, it is not an immediate safety issue.
c. Being “at one with the world” may be part of a delusional (false thoughts) system that commonly happens during mania. Delusions should be monitored, but this one does not sound dangerous or in need of any particular action.
d. Flight of ideas, or jumping from topic to topic, is also a common symptom in mania. While it may make communication difficult, it is not a priority concern.
a. The immediate safety of the person and other patients on the unit is the priority. Limits regarding patient-to-patient contact and relations should be communicated, and behaviour should be monitored.
The nurse is caring for a person experiencing mania. Which is the most appropriate nursing intervention?
a. Patients experiencing mania have the ability to “staff split,” or divide the staff into “good guys” and “bad guys.” Providing consistency among all staff members is imperative.
b. Limit access to money because excessive spending is common during mania.
c. Limits must be set and carried out by all staff members if the plan of care is to be effective.
d. The nurse cannot control the patient’s emotions; the preferred approach is to establish and maintain limits for the duration of admission.
a. Patients experiencing mania have the ability to “staff split,” or divide the staff into “good guys” and “bad guys.” Providing consistency among all staff members is imperative.
The nurse is planning care for a person experiencing the acute phase of mania. Which is the priority intervention?
a. Keep the person safe by setting limits on behaviours as the person may exhibit aggressiveness toward others during an acute phase of mania.
b. Encourage the person to take rest periods during the day and to sleep at night in order to ensure sufficient sleep.
c. Instruct the person to exercise (brisk walk around the unit) frequently during the day in order to reduce restlessness and wakefulness during the night.
d. Provide small snacks between meals for the person to maintain adequate nutrition during an acute episode of mania.
a. Keep the person safe by setting limits on behaviours as the person may exhibit aggressiveness toward others during an acute phase of mania.
What critical information should the nurse provide about the use of lithium?
a. Lithium is helpful in controlling hypersexuality that may come with mania.
b. Lithium is helpful in controlling feelings of anxiety, elation, grandiosity, and expansiveness.
c. Lithium takes 7 to 14 days and sometimes longer to reach therapeutic levels in the patient’s blood.
d. Lithium helps stabilize bipolar disorder; it is not a cure.
c. Lithium takes 7 to 14 days and sometimes longer to reach therapeutic levels in the patient’s blood.
The nurse has provided education for a patient in the continuation phase after discharge from the hospital. What indicates that the plan of care has been successful?
a. The plan of care has been effective when the person can identify signs and symptoms of relapse, describe the purpose of his or her medications, and describe problem-solving techniques.
b. Stating that his wife does not mind his drinking indicates that the person has not considered the consequences of substance addictions that may contribute to future relapse.
c. Stating that he wants to discontinue the medication despite its helpfulness indicates that the patient does not fully understand the process related to bipolar disorder and the purpose of medications.
d. Stating that he does not have a disorder indicates that the patient does not fully understand the process related to bipolar disorder.
a. The plan of care has been effective when the person can identify signs and symptoms of relapse, describe the purpose of his or her medications, and describe problem-solving techniques.
