An Inquiry Based Learning Approach - Assessment 3 - Case Study 2019

Assessment 3 – Case Study 2019
Using an Inquiry Based Learning Approach
Learning strategy
What you need to do
to critically analyse
the Case Study
Thought processes
What you need to demonstrate to your
lecturer in terms of your critical thinking
about this Case Study
Learning Outcomes Section
Demonstrate your learning in each section by presenting the information
that you have examined to improve your knowledge and understanding
of this particular Case Study
STEP 1 - CONNECT
Analyse each of the
case study documents
Amanda is a 28 years old high-school part-
time teacher, living with roommate in
Adelaide, suffering from bipolar disorder, and
having suicidal tendencies from past few
weeks, after relapse. She is having mixed
episodes of bipolar disorder currently, having
excessive mood fluctuations, with high
energy, yet low-self esteem and depression
caused by workload. She is continuing with
Lithium Carbonate XR 600mg and low doses
of Quetiapine, along with occasional drinking,
which was again one reason for starting
suicidal thoughts. She has several episodes
wherein she had intake Diazepam and
marijuana. After initial intake of marijuana,
Amanda had undergone previous treatments in public and private hospitals
along with drug-rehab programs, but she was not provided support after
discharge as her mother suggested which has increased the suicidal trends in
Amanda. Moreover, the mood stabilisers, anti-psychotic medications and
tranquilisers given to Amanda always made her susceptible to side effects,
making her lethargic, unmotivated and low-concentration. She is now under
addiction control means, but feels light and happy when she goes into manic
phase or euphoria induced by drugs.

she had first suicidal episode, after which she
started exploring new amphetamines and
different drugs, which is one of the major risk
factors behind her suicidal tendencies.
STEP 2 - QUESTION
What are some of the
questions about this
Case Study that you
want to know more
information?
Identify the additional
information you need
to know about so that
you can plan your
care
Some questions are required to assess
information from the case study which seems
insufficient. For planning care interventions
such questions are vital in understanding the
patient’s responses and certain background to
improve intervention plans.
1. What are the thoughts that run through
Amanda’s mind before she attempts
suicide?
2. Did the hospital or nursing
interventions beforehand support
Amanda after being discharged from
hospital?
3. Had Amanda planned to be discovered
after suicide or was it accidental
These questions will provide extra information for understanding the
perspective from Amanda’s point of view. The thoughts pertaining to
suicide, and previous nursing interventions have been asked in detail, so that
the new nurses finds loopholes and improves the care provided to Amanda.
The suicidal tendencies, intentions, and feelings of the patient will be asked
to generate an answer about her perception of the whole episode, and her
reaction to the situation, whether she wants to improve her condition.
Moreover, previous care unit, the support system provided has also been
analysed to find criteria which will help Amanda develop her condition
better in future.

finding?
4. What was the feelings of Amanda
after waking up in hospital and not
perform the suicide successfully ?
5. What was the immediate cause of
suicide, and what happened later on?
6. Are there any feelings of guilt within
Amanda, or she blames herself over
some issue?
7. Were previous care providers
monitoring her situation even after
being discharged, and was she joining
any community interventions for
mitigating suicidal thoughts?
STEP 3 -
INVESTIGATE
Review your current
Research this disorder further. Record the
references at the end of this template
Describe the disorder presented in this scenario and include in-text
referencing
Bipolar disorder-
Bipolar disorder is a form of mood disorder characterised by fluctuations in
mood, and energy levels (Grande et al., 2016). About more than 1.8%,
Australians experience this disorder every year, through two episodes,

knowledge about the
clients mental illness
in this Case Study
Answer the questions in the
Learning Outcomes Section on the right
namely depression episodes and manic episodes. Depressive episodes are
characterised by hopelessness, low mood, sadness, lack of interest, whereas,
the manic episodes are characterised by high energy, euphoria, more
agitation, little sleep, hasty speech patterns etc. In the case study, Amanda is
suffering from Bipolar disorder, from the age of 15, initially diagnosed as
unipolar disorder, with depression levels. However, consumption of
amphetamines and marijuana also influenced the bipolar changes in mood
patterns, displaying depressive, manic and mixed episodes until now. Every
patient undergoes through mixed episodes once during their bipolar course.
After being sober for some months, patients may started showing relapse
behaviour, with loss in focus and hasty speech. However, with mixed
episodes, patients start having various feelings namely, sadness, emptiness,
loss of interest, speaking irregularly, loss of concentration, having high
energy levels sometimes, irritation, fatigue, feeling worthless and low self-
esteem, and getting more suicidal tendencies through de-motivation (Aas et
al., 2016).
In mixed episodes patients may become more elevated or expansive, inflated
self-esteem, being talkative, fleeting ideas, increased energy levels, risk-
taking behaviour, and decrease in sleep. Likewise, they might also get
depressed over trivial matters, with low self-esteem, demotivation and
suicidal tendencies. Impulsivity is one characteristic feature common in all
bipolar patients, which leads them to take inappropriate actions without