Bipolar Disorder NCLEX Review and Nursing Care Plans Show
Bipolar disorder is an affective and mood disorder characterized by its chronicity and complexity. Patients with this disorder manifest with two “poles” of mood states, the manic and depressed states. A lesser degree of these mood states such as hypomania and mixed states may also be observed in these patients. Signs and Symptoms of Bipolar DisorderPatients with bipolar disorder present with a depressive or manic state although some may also present with a feature from both.
Causes and Risk Factors of Bipolar DisorderBipolar disorder may be associated and may be caused by different factors such as the following:
Types of Bipolar DisorderTypes of bipolar and related disorders vary depending on the manifestation and duration of the depressed and manic state of the patient.
Diagnosis of Bipolar DisorderThe diagnosis of bipolar disorder is through a general psychiatric assessment that depends on meeting the criteria set by the DSM-V. Specificities regarding the disorder must also be mentioned, such as the following:
Treatment for Bipolar DisorderTreatment of bipolar disorder depends on the patient’s mood state and thus involves establishing the diagnosis of mania or hypomania and defining the patient’s current mood state. Mood stabilizers and antipsychotics are the mainstays of pharmacotherapy for acute manifestations, with combination treatment showing better results than a single drug class alone. Prevention of relapses is the goal for long-term management while electroconvulsive therapy is considered in treatment-resistant episodes. Bipolar Disorder Nursing DiagnosisNursing Care Plan for Bipolar Disorder 1Risk For Violence – Self-Directed or Other-Directed Nursing Diagnosis: Risk for Violence – self-directed or other-directed related to the patient’s manic state secondary to imbalances in the patient’s biochemical/neurological processes as evidenced by aggressive speech and actions and threats of hurting people thrown to others and to self. Desired Outcome: The patient will be able to control emotions and impulses and will not be a threat to himself/herself and others around him/her.
Nursing Care Plan for Bipolar Disorder 2Impaired Social Interaction Nursing Diagnosis: Impaired Social Interaction related to the patient’s manic state secondary to imbalances in the patient’s biochemical/neurological processes as evidenced by poor interactions with others, inability to form meaningful relationships, and poor attention span. Desired Outcome: The patient will be able to verbalize thoughts when they become uncontrollable and will be doing activities without manifesting inappropriate behaviors.
Nursing Care Plan for Bipolar Disorder 3Ineffective Individual Coping Nursing Diagnosis: Ineffective Individual Coping related to the patient’s inability to control oneself secondary to imbalances in the patient’s biochemical/neurological processes as evidenced by the inability to make sound judgments and impaired problem-solving skills. Desired Outcome: The patient will show healthy coping mechanisms such as seeking medical and legal assistance when entering financial and legal obligations and making major life decisions.
Nursing Care Plan for Bipolar Disorder 4Interrupted Family Processes Nursing Diagnosis: Interrupted family processes related to the patient’s uncontrollable behavior that may harm other members of the family secondary to nonadherence to pharmacologic management of the bipolar disorder as evidenced by the family showing signs of dysfunction, inability to cope, and the family members’ inadequate knowledge regarding the disorder and the management plan. Desired Outcomes:
Nursing Care Plan for Bipolar Disorder 5Total Self-Care Deficit Nursing Diagnosis: Total self-care deficit related to the patient’s poor concentration and impaired perception and cognition secondary to the patient’s manic episode and severe anxiety as evidenced by the observation and reports of inability to do tasks such as self-hygiene and grooming without assistance. Desired Outcomes: The patient will no longer need assistance with tasks related to personal hygiene and grooming and will be able to sleep properly at six to eight hours a day.
Nursing ReferencesAckley, B. J., Ladwig, G. B., Makic, M. B., Martinez-Kratz, M. R., & Zanotti, M. (2020). Nursing diagnoses handbook: An evidence-based guide to planning care. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Buy on Amazon Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. L. (2022). Nursing care plans: Diagnoses, interventions, & outcomes. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Buy on Amazon Ignatavicius, D. D., Workman, M. L., Rebar, C. R., & Heimgartner, N. M. (2020). Medical-surgical nursing: Concepts for interprofessional collaborative care. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Buy on Amazon Please enable JavaScript Silvestri, L. A. (2020). Saunders comprehensive review for the NCLEX-RN examination. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Buy on Amazon Disclaimer:Please follow your facilities guidelines, policies, and procedures. The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is intended to be nursing education and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment. |