Treating Bipolar Disorder

These flashcards cover key concepts related to Bipolar Disorder treatment, including types of episodes, treatment options, nursing considerations, and more.

A nurse is assessing a client for Bipolar Disorder. Which of the following is a characteristic manifestation of this condition?

1. Consistent periods of low mood only.

2. Recurrent fluctuations in mood, including abnormally elevated or depressed mood, separated by relatively normal mood.

3. Continuous manic episodes without periods of depression.

4. Stable mood with occasional anxiety.

2. Recurrent fluctuations in mood, including abnormally elevated or depressed mood, separated by relatively normal mood.

A client with Bipolar Disorder is discussing their mood episodes. Which of the following are recognized types of mood episodes?

1. Cyclothymic, dysthymic, anxiety, and stable.
2. Pure manic, hypomanic, major depressive, and mixed.
3. Delusional, hallucinatory, paranoid, and catatonic.
4. Obsessive, compulsive, phobic, and panic.

2. Pure manic, hypomanic, major depressive, and mixed.

The nurse is educating a student about Bipolar Disorder. How would a pure manic episode be defined?

1. A mild, short-lived elevation in mood without significant impairment.
2. A persistently heightened, expansive, or irritable mood often associated with hyperactivity and grandiose ideas.
3. A severe depressive state with suicidal ideation.
4. A fluctuating mood state with rapid shifts between happiness and sadness.

2. A persistently heightened, expansive, or irritable mood often associated with hyperactivity and grandiose ideas.

Which of the following best describes a hypomanic episode?

1. A severe manic episode requiring hospitalization.
2. A milder form of mania that does not cause significant impairment in functioning.
3. A full-blown depressive episode that lasts for at least two weeks.
4. A mixed episode with simultaneous symptoms of mania and depression.

2. A milder form of mania that does not cause significant impairment in functioning.

A client is experiencing a major depressive episode. Which of the following are key symptoms?

1. Grandiosity, racing thoughts, and decreased need for sleep.
2. Depressed mood, loss of pleasure or interest, disruption of sleeping and eating patterns, difficulty concentrating, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness.
3. Rapid mood swings, agitation, and extreme irritability.
4. Delusions of persecution and disorganized speech.

2. Depressed mood, loss of pleasure or interest, disruption of sleeping and eating patterns, difficulty concentrating, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness.

A client presents with a mixed episode of Bipolar Disorder. Which characteristics would the nurse expect to observe?

1. Only symptoms of severe depression without any manic features.
2. Only symptoms of pure mania without any depressive features.
3. Simultaneous symptoms of mania and depression, often resulting in agitation and feelings of worthlessness.
4. A stable mood with mild hypomanic tendencies.

3. Simultaneous symptoms of mania and depression, often resulting in agitation and feelings of worthlessness.

Is the following statement true or false? 'Patients with Bipolar Disorder always alternate consistently between mania and depression.'

1. True
2. False

2. False. There are possible patterns including repeated episodes of mania, episodes of depression, and varying moods between episodes.

The nurse is aware that mood episodes in Bipolar Disorder can vary significantly among individuals. Which of the following describes how these episodes can differ?

1. Only in the severity of manic symptoms.
2. Exclusively in the duration of depressive states.
3. In frequency, length, and by having periods of normal mood or hypomania.
4. Only by the presence or absence of psychotic features.

3. In frequency, length, and by having periods of normal mood or hypomania.

Which of the following statements accurately defines Bipolar I Disorder?

1. Characterized by hypomanic or depressive episodes, without manic or mixed episodes.
2. Characterized by manic or mixed episodes and usually depressive episodes.
3. Characterized by only depressive episodes.
4. Characterized by rapid cycling between mild mood swings.

2. Characterized by manic or mixed episodes and usually depressive episodes.

A client is diagnosed with Bipolar II Disorder. Which of the following is a characteristic of this diagnosis?

1. The presence of full manic or mixed episodes.
2. Characterized by hypomanic or depressive episodes, without manic or mixed episodes.
3. Only experiencing major depressive episodes.
4. A history of psychosis without mood symptoms.

2. Characterized by hypomanic or depressive episodes, without manic or mixed episodes.

A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a client with Bipolar Disorder. Which classes of medications are commonly used in treatment?

1. Stimulants, benzodiazepines, and anxiolytics.
2. Antipsychotics, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers like lamotrigine (Lamictal).
3. Opioids, muscle relaxants, and antibiotics.
4. NSAIDs, anticoagulants, and diuretics.

2. Antipsychotics, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers like lamotrigine (Lamictal).

When treating Bipolar Disorder, why is it crucial to combine antidepressants with a mood stabilizer?

1. To enhance the antidepressant's absorption.
2. To reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.
3. Because using antidepressants alone can induce a manic episode.
4. To improve sleeping patterns.

3. Because using antidepressants alone can induce a manic episode.

A client is experiencing an acute manic episode. Which medication is typically considered the drug of choice for controlling these episodes?

1. Sertraline (Zoloft)
2. Lithium
3. Diazepam (Valium)
4. Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

2. Lithium.

When a client is on Lithium therapy for Bipolar Disorder, what is a critical consideration for monitoring?

1. Monitoring blood glucose levels regularly.
2. Monitoring plasma lithium levels is essential to avoid toxicity.
3. Monitoring complete blood count (CBC) weekly.
4. Monitoring liver function tests monthly.

2. Monitoring plasma lithium levels is essential to avoid toxicity.

A client's Lithium level is reported as 2.8 mEq/L. The nurse recognizes that this level indicates a risk for which of the following?

1. Mild gastrointestinal upset only.
2. Therapeutic effects with no adverse reactions.
3. Serious toxicity, including convulsions, oliguria, and potentially death.
4. Hypokalemia.

3. Serious toxicity, including convulsions, oliguria, and potentially death.

A client starting Lithium therapy asks what side effects they might experience within the therapeutic range. The nurse should inform them about which common early adverse effects?

1. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and liver failure.
2. Gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, muscle weakness, and tremors.
3. Seizures and pancreatitis.
4. Weight loss and insomnia.

2. Gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, muscle weakness, and tremors.

The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client on Lithium. Which dietary recommendation is essential to prevent lithium retention and toxicity?

1. Limiting fluid intake to 1 liter per day.
2. Consuming a high-sodium diet.
3. Adequate hydration to prevent lithium retention and toxicity.
4. Avoiding all dairy products.

3. Adequate hydration to prevent lithium retention and toxicity.

A nurse is reviewing a client's medication list and notes a mood stabilizer derived from the antiepileptic drug family, which is effective in treating manic episodes. Which medication matches this description?

1. Lithium
2. Lamotrigine (Lamictal)
3. Valproic acid (Depakote)
4. Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

3. Valproic acid (Depakote).

A client on valproic acid (Depakote) for Bipolar Disorder calls the clinic complaining of severe abdominal pain and jaundice. The nurse recognizes that valproic acid can cause which serious toxicities?

1. Photosensitivity and dry mouth.
2. Thrombocytopenia, pancreatitis, and liver failure.
3. Hypothyroidism and dermatological rashes.
4. Hypertension and hyperglycemia.

2. Thrombocytopenia, pancreatitis, and liver failure.

The nurse is educating a client starting lamotrigine (Lamictal). What is the most serious dermatological side effect the client should be aware of?

1. Acne
2. Hives
3. Life-threatening rashes such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
4. Eczema

3. Life-threatening rashes such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

A client with Bipolar Disorder is asking about non-pharmacological ways to manage their condition. Which of the following therapies would the nurse encourage?

1. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
2. Education, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and supportive therapy.
3. Intensive physical exercise routines and strict dietary restrictions.
4. Herbal supplements and aromatherapy.

2. Education, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and supportive therapy.