Question

Difficulty: MediumMental Health Concepts

A client diagnosed with bipolar disorder is experiencing an acute manic episode on an inpatient psychiatric unit. The client is hyperactive, easily distractible, and repeatedly interrupts other clients' conversations. Which interventions should the practical nurse (PN) implement? (Select all that apply.)

  1. Provide high-calorie, portable finger foods for the client to consume while moving around.Answer
  2. Redirect the client to a quiet, low-stimulus environment away from the common areas.Answer
  3. Communicate using a calm, firm tone with short, concise sentences.Answer
  4. D
    Ask the client to explain why they feel the need to interrupt others.
  5. E
    Attempt to logically reason with the client about the importance of respecting personal boundaries.
  6. F
    Place the client in a locked seclusion room until the hyperactivity subsides.

Answer

The PN should provide portable finger foods, redirect the client to a low-stimulus environment, and communicate using a calm, firm tone with short sentences.
Clients experiencing acute mania have significant difficulty focusing, are easily overstimulated, and often neglect their physical needs. Providing portable, high-calorie finger foods ensures adequate nutritional intake while accommodating their hyperactivity. Redirecting the client to a low-stimulus environment helps decrease agitation and protects peers from intrusive behaviors. Communicating with a calm, firm tone and using short, concise sentences minimizes confusion and provides necessary structure for a highly distractible client.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the client's current behavioral state.
The client is in an acute manic phase characterized by hyperactivity, distractibility, and intrusiveness.
Understanding the phase of bipolar disorder determines the physiological and psychological priorities.
2
Identify the primary nursing goals for this client.
The goals are to ensure physical safety, maintain adequate nutrition, and reduce environmental overstimulation.
Acute mania can lead to exhaustion, weight loss, and escalation into aggressive behavior if stimuli are not managed.
3
Select interventions that are therapeutically appropriate and within the PN scope.
Providing finger foods, utilizing low-stimulus redirection, and employing concise communication are correct and least restrictive.
These actions address the client's immediate needs without inappropriately bypassing restraint alternatives or utilizing non-therapeutic communication.

Key Concept

Nursing Management of Acute Mania
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