Nursing Care and Recovery Plan for Bipolar Affective Disorder

Running head: NURSING CARE AND RECOVERY PLAN
NURSING CARE AND RECOVERY PLAN
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

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Executive Summary
The following report highlights the key nursing interventions to be undertaken for the
management of the case of Catherine, who has been diagnosed with Bipolar Affective Disorder.
As observed from the case study, Catherine presents symptoms of mania accompanied with
abnormal levels of excitability, talkativeness and disrupted self care activities. The first part of
the report consists of a nursing care plan outlining interventions to be considered following by a
rationale justifying the use of various psychotherapeutic and pharmacological procedures in the
second part. The third part consists of a developed nursing plan to assist Catherine in her
reintegration at home.

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Table of Contents
Part 1: Nursing Care/Recovery Plan (As designed by the Author).....................................3
Part 2: Brief Paper...............................................................................................................5
Introduction......................................................................................................................5
Discussion – Rationale for Interventions.........................................................................5
Mental State Examination and Risk Assessment.........................................................5
Pharmacological Interventions...................................................................................6
Psychotherapy..............................................................................................................7
Multidisciplinary Approach.........................................................................................7
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................8
Part 3: Developed Plan........................................................................................................9
References..........................................................................................................................15

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Part 1: Nursing Care/Recovery Plan (As designed by the Author)
Patient Name: Catherine
Patient Issues Nursing Considerations and Interventions
 Bipolar Affective Disorder (Manic
Depression or BPAD) characterized by
heightened enthusiasm and activity
engagement (household chores, lack of
sleep and adequate food consumption),
reckless behaviors (sudden shopping,
calling at odd hours) and mindless
speech (shift from one topic to
another).
 Alternating depressive episodes
(feelings of being an unworthy
daughter and mother).
 In order to determine the mental health
status and stage of bipolar affective
disorder in Catherine, the nurse may
need to conduct a Mental Status
Examination and Risk Assessment
(Burdick et al. 2015). The nurse can
further assess Catherine based on the
symptomatic assessment tool
formulated by the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-V), Bipolar Spectrum
Diagnostic Scale (BSDS) or
International Classification of Diseases
and Related Health Problems (ICD-10)
(Ferrari et al. 2016). Based on the
above, Catherine may most likely be
diagnosed with Type 1 BPAD
characterized severe episodes of mania
and depression (Bonnn et al. 2016).
 The nurse may consider administration

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of pharmacological interventions such
as Lithium, due to its effectiveness in
alleviating manic and depressive
episodes and stabilization of mood
(Mertens et al. 2015). Additional
medications like the anticonvulsant
Diazepam to induce calmness and
sedation considering Catherine’s
inability to sleep (Yoshiharia et al.
2016).
 A multidisciplinary approach may be
considered where the nurse may work
collaboratively with a psychotherapist
to administer therapies such as
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),
Psycho-education, Family focused
therapy and Interpersonal and Social
Rhythm Therapy (Inder et al. 2016).
Additionally, the nurse may work inter-
professionally with a nutritionist to
assist Catherine in improving her
reduced food intake (Vancampfort et al.
2016).

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Part 2: Brief Paper
Introduction
The following paragraphs of this brief research paper will aim to shed light on the
rationale and significance behind the chosen nursing interventions and considerations highlighted
in the nursing care plan for Catherine as tabulated above. As observed from the case study,
Catherine has been diagnosed with mania or bipolar affective disorder due to her preoccupation
with untimely, inappropriate, unpredictable and reckless behaviors of household activity
conductance, formulating a fitness program, sudden shopping, lack of self care and unfocussed
speech. Hence, the nursing care plan has been formulated based on pharmacological
considerations, interventions of psychotherapy and conductance of mental health assessments
and screening tools.
Discussion – Rationale for Interventions
Mental State Examination and Risk Assessment
Prior to the administration of any treatment, the nurse must conduct an assessment which
will aid in identifying key symptoms and disease conditions in the patient, based on which
interventions will be determined (Freeman et al. 2017). A Mental State Examination (MSE) of
Catherine is necessary since it will highlight key features of her behavior, responses to external
environment, speech, mood, cognition and judgments which is a prerequisite for every mental
health treatment (Arevalo‐Rodriguez et al. 2015). Likewise, bipolar disorder patients are
susceptible to suicide, suicide ideation, self harm or violence and aggression towards others.
Hence, a Risk Assessment in addition to the MSE will aid in the determining how probable
Catherine might be to harm herself or others during her hospital stay (Aaltonen et al. 2016).