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A nurse is developing a presentation for families who have members that have been diagnosed with bipolar disorders. When describing this condition to the group, which of the following would the nurse most likely include?
- A. As the person ages, the episodes tend to decrease over time.
- B. Environmental stressors are a key cause of these disorders.
- C. The risk for suicide is high with either depression or mania.
- D. Risk-taking behaviors are more common with a depressive episode.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bipolar disorder carries a high suicide risk during both depressive and manic episodes (C), due to despair in depression and impulsivity in mania. Episodes often persist or worsen with age (A), stressors (B) are triggers but not primary causes, and risk-taking is more common in mania, not depression (D).
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A client with bipolar disorder is receiving divalproex sodium as part of the treatment plan. When monitoring the client?s blood level for this drug, which level would alert the nurse to the need to change the dosage?
- A. 30 ng/mL
- B. 55 ng/mL
- C. 75 ng/mL
- D. 115 ng/mL
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic range for divalproex sodium (valproic acid) is 50?100 µg/mL (often reported as ng/mL in some contexts). A level of 115 ng/mL (D) is above this range, indicating potential toxicity and the need for dosage reduction. Levels of 30, 55, and 75 ng/mL (A, B, C) are below or within the therapeutic range.
A client who is receiving lithium comes to the clinic for an evaluation. During the visit, the client reports a fine hand tremor. Which action by the nurse would be most appropriate?
- A. Immediately obtain a specimen to determine the client?s blood drug level.
- B. Suggest that the client take the medication with meals or snacks.
- C. Assist the client in minimizing exposure to stressors.
- D. Encourage the client to elevate the affected hand on a pillow.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A fine hand tremor is a common, benign side effect of lithium. Taking the medication with meals or snacks (B) can reduce gastrointestinal irritation and tremor severity. Immediate blood testing (A) is unnecessary unless toxicity is suspected, stress reduction (C) is less relevant, and elevation (D) is ineffective.
The nurse is preparing a teaching plan for the family of a client who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. After teaching them about potential indicators for relapse, the nurse determines that the teaching was effective when they identify which of the following as suggesting mania? Select all that apply.
- A. Avoiding people
- B. Sleeping more than usual
- C. Talking faster than usual
- D. Being hungry all the time
- E. Reading several books at once
Correct Answer: C,E
Rationale: Mania is characterized by rapid speech (C) and multitasking behaviors like reading multiple books simultaneously (E), reflecting increased energy and distractibility. Avoiding people (A) and sleeping more (B) suggest depression, and constant hunger (D) is not specific to mania.
The nurse is assessing a client with bipolar disorder who is experiencing mania. The client states, I?m just so beautiful. Everyone just stops and stares at how gorgeous I am. Men constantly want to have sex with me. The nurse interprets these statements as indicative of which type of mood?
- A. Irritable
- B. Elevated
- C. Expansive
- D. Euphoric
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Expansive mood (C) in mania is characterized by grandiose, exaggerated self-perception, as seen in the client?s statements about beauty and desirability. Irritable mood (A) involves agitation, elevated mood (B) is less specific, and euphoric mood (D) reflects intense happiness without the grandiose quality.
A client?s blood level of carbamazepine is increased. When reviewing the client?s medication history, which of the following would alert the nurse to a possible interaction?
- A. Phenobarbital
- B. Primidone
- C. Phenytoin
- D. Diltiazem
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Diltiazem (D), a calcium channel blocker, inhibits the metabolism of carbamazepine, increasing its blood levels and risking toxicity. Phenobarbital (A), primidone (B), and phenytoin (C) are enzyme inducers that typically decrease carbamazepine levels.