Diseases and Conditions Diseases and Conditions

Nursing Interventions In The Diagnosis Of Bipolar Disorder

Family-tips.info
Relationships24.info
Webmasters-xxl.com
Beautystar.info
Travel-tips.biz
 
Causes And Remedy Of Frequent Headaches
Headaches are one of the most common reasons people seek medical help. Headaches are a common cause of suffering, but all headaches are not created equal. For example, a migraine is a splitting headache that just seems to set in apparently caused by no reason at all. If you have a stable pattern of recurring headaches accompanied b... Read more


 Home | Health | Diseases and conditions

Nursing Interventions In The Diagnosis Of Bipolar Disorder

This Diseases and Conditions Article is Brought To You By - Melih Oztalay

Diagnosis Bipolar Disorder: "Bipolar disorder is a severe biologic illness characterized by recurrent fluctuations in mood. Typically, patients experience alternating episodes in which mood is abnormally elevated or abnormally depressed-separated by periods in which mood is relatively normal." (Lehne, 2004, p. 321)

The following is a short synopsis according to the DSM-IV-TR, "Criteria for Bipolar Disorder" includes a distinct period of abnormality and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood for at least:
- 4 days for hypomania
- week for mania

During the period of mood disturbance, at least three or more of the following symptoms have persisted and have been present to a significant degree:
- Inflated self-esteem or grandiosity
- Decreased need for sleep
- More talkative than usual or pressure to keep talking
- Excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high potential for painful consequences.
(American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000).

Psychodynamics of the Disease The onset of the disease usually occurs during late adolescence or in the mid twenties. However, the disease has been known to occur up into the fifth decade of life. The mood swings that accompany this disorder are of several types. They are as follows: the Pure Manic Episode, evidenced by hyperactivity, excessive enthusiasm, and flight of ideas, constant wakefulness without sleep,

Impairment in normal social functioning usually requiring hospitalization; Hypomanic Episode, evidenced by a milder form of the Pure Mania, without the loss of normal functioning that would require hospitalization; Major Depressive Episode, characterized by depressed mood consisting of symptoms such as anhedonia, avolition, alogia, affective flattening and thoughts of suicide and death; the last episode associated with Bipolar disorders is the Mixed Episode in which, patients experience symptoms of mania and depression simultaneously. The combination of high energy and depression puts them at significant risk of suicide. (Lehne, 2004, p. 321)

Case Presentation
A Caucasian woman in her mid twenties presented signs and symptoms of self mutilation with a straight edge razor inflicted gash across her lower abdomen approximately six inches below the umbilicus. The depth of the gash just stopped at the abdominal fascia. The patient was sent from the emergency room to the psychiatric floor. Upon meeting the patient one day after her admission to E.R., she appeared dressed in pajama bottoms and a t-shirt, shuffling down the hall in her socks. She was holding her abdomen with one hand and appeared in some discomfort. Her black hair was short and disheveled. When the patient arrived at her room she sat down on her bed.

She acknowledged with blunted affect that she cannot stop self mutilation, and described how she cut herself through the muscles in her abdomen almost down to the fascia. Her voice was tremulous and fast paced. This could be due to the fact that she had just been given her first dose of Clozaril. She stated that her mouth was dry and that she needed to drink some water. She then went on to say that she was getting very sleepy. The client felt comfortable with the interview.

She shared personal information in regards to being sexually abused by her bother beginning at the age of seven until the age of fifteen. Her brother was two years older than her and died in an automobile accident at the age of eighteen. She went on to say that her mother never knew or acknowledged the sexual abuse and that she could not tell her because the mother idolized the son. The client was receptive to cognitive reframing; however she was very critical of herself and stated that she felt worthless and ashamed. She appeared very tired and stated that she wanted to sleep.

Table 1
Textbook characteristics of Bipolar disorder versus client characteristics observed

Textbook Characteristics:
Pure Manic Episode
Hypomanic Episode
Major Depressive Episode-
Affective Flattening
Alogia
Avolition-apathy
Anhedonia
Mixed Episode
Rapid-Cycling Bipolar Disorder- Patients experience four or Client

Characteristics Observed:
No current symptoms
Rapid breathing, rapid speech, however due to medication a client was concurrently exhibiting lethargy
Client acknowledged sadness/ worthlessness
Facial expression flat
Thoughts of dying, hard to focus
Hair/clothes unkempt
Expressed no interest in children or own

Client's Symptoms
1. Hypomania
2. Depression
a.) Affective Flattening
b.) Alogia
c.) Avolition & Apathy
d.) Anhedonia
3. Mixed Episode
4. Rapid Cycling
(Varcarolis, 2004, p. 485)

Nursing Interventions
1. Observe the client every 15 minutes while suicidal, remove all dangerous, sharp objects from room.
2. Reinforce that she is worth while,
a.) Assist the client in evaluating the positive as well as the negative aspects of her life
b.) Encourage the appropriate expression of angry feelings.
c.) Schedule regular periods of time throughout the day for recreational/occupational therapy, encourage client to groom self, offer praise for completing grooming.
d.) Ensure client's participation in taking mood stabilizing medications. Watch client swallow medication.
3. Engage client in interpersonal therapies, cognitive-behavioral therapy,
4. Encourage client to attend group therapy, and journal episodes.

Table 2
Medical Interventions, Bipolar Disorder
Drug therapy using
Mood stabilizer
Antidepressants
Antipsychotics
Education and Psychotherapy
ECT
(Varcarolis, 2002, p. 483)

Clients Medical Interventions
Drug therapy includes
Lithium 300mg every h.s.
Not taking any Clozaril
Client is receiving psychotherapy, family counseling, group therapy while in hospital, and cognitive restructuring.
None

References
Lehne, R. (2004). Pharmacology for Nursing Care. Missouri: Saunders
Varcarolis, E. (2002). Foundations of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: A Clinical Approach. Pennsylvania: Saunders

  • Diseases and Conditions Products on our marketplace

  • Melih ("may-lee") Oztalay, CEO SmartFinds Internet Marketing Web: www.thenetstudyguide.com EMail: melih@hsfideas.com The nursing entrance test study guide provides nurses the assistance they need with the nursing entrance test. The nursing study guide helps nurses.
    ***

  • Gum Disease: The Symptoms And How To Prevent It
    Gum disease is a disease that many people have heard of but are unfamiliar with. This may be the reason that nearly 3/4th's of adults in America are suffering from some form of this disease. While some cases of the disease may ...
  • From a Nurse: Using Coconut Oil as a Treatment for Eczema
    Sometimes one has to resort to alternative, natural eczema treatment methods to get the best cure or results for their eczema problem. And often it's a better choice, due to less exposure to drugs and chemical-laden products. ...
  • Activities To Keep People Living Alzheimer's Disease Involved
    Alzheimer's disease is considered the 7th leading cause of death in the United States in 2004. The death toll continues to rise every year. The disease is the third most costly in the U.S. Heart disease and cancer are the first ...
  • Toenail Fungus Prevention And Treatment
    Toenail fungus (onychomycosis), is a truly awful condition for a number of reasons. It's very unsightly and can become the topic of unwanted conversation for those that get it bad enough and have their feet exposed to the world...
  • Cerebral Palsy Types - Ataxic and Spastic Palsy
    The name cerebral comes from the two halves of the brain. The other name of this condition, palsy refers to any disorder that affects the body's movement. Cerebral palsy conditions are all related to the areas of the brain that ...
  • 5 Top Tips on How to Help an Alcoholic or Drug Addict
    How do you really help an alcoholic or drug addict? Maybe you have a spouse, friend or child that is in the throws of an addiction. What do you do, how do you really help? There aren't any hard and fast rules, but here are 5 tip...
  • © 2008 Article24.info All Rights Reserved.