A client diagnosed with bipolar disorder says, "I don't understand why I go back and forth between being manic and being sad and depressed." Which explanations should the nurse offer?

Question

Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. "When you are getting too many chemicals in your brain, you have manic spells."
2. "When you don't take your drug, you get sick."
3. "The chemicals in your brain get all mixed up."
4. "When you do not get enough of certain chemicals in your brain, you feel depressed."
5. "When you can't control your mania, you use up so much energy that you crash and become depressed."

Answer 1

1,4
Rationale 1: It is thought that increased amounts of glutamate and/or dopamine cause the manic phase of bipolar disorder.
Rationale 2: This response is accurate, but it is not therapeutic and does not answer the client's question.
Rationale 3: This statement is an oversimplification and does not answer the client's question.
Rationale 4: It is thought that decreased levels of glutamate and/or dopamine may cause the client to become depressed.
Rationale 5: This is a common, layperson's interpretation of what occurs in bipolar disorder and is not factual.