A nurse is conducting an admission assessment for a client who is experiencing a manic episode of bipolar disorder. Which of the following behaviors should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply).
Explanation & Rationale
A. Grandiosity. Clients experiencing mania often exhibit inflated self-esteem or a sense of superiority, believing they have exceptional abilities, wealth, or power. This exaggerated confidence is a hallmark symptom of bipolar mania. B. Flight of ideas. Rapid, continuous speech with abrupt topic changes is common in mania. Clients may jump from one idea to another without logical connections, making their speech difficult to follow. This is known as flight of ideas and reflects their racing thoughts. C. Spitting. While agitation and impulsivity are common in mania, spitting is not a specific or expected symptom. Clients may exhibit verbal aggression or inappropriate behaviors, but spitting is not a defining feature of mania. D. Hyperactivity. Mania is characterized by excessive energy, restlessness, and an inability to stay still. Clients often engage in reckless behaviors, have decreased need for sleep, and struggle with impulse control, contributing to hyperactivity. E. Withdrawal. Social withdrawal is more characteristic of depressive episodes rather than mania. In contrast, manic individuals are often highly sociable, intrusive, and overly talkative, sometimes to the point of disrupting social norms.