A nurse in a rehabilitation center is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder. Which of the following actions by the client indicates mania?

Indicates potential Improvement a. Hygiene b. Food intake c. Rapid change in mood

Indicates potential worsening a. Giving away car b. Condition of skin on right hand

Choice A: Giving away car

This could be a sign of the client’s worsening condition. Giving away possessions can sometimes be a sign of suicidal ideation. It’s important to monitor this behavior and report it to the healthcare provider.

Choice B: Hygiene

The client showered without prompting on the third day, which is an improvement from the first day when they declined to shower. Improved personal hygiene can be a sign of improvement in a client with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Choice C: Food intake

The client ate 75% of their meals on the third day, which is an improvement from the first day when they refused to eat. Increased food intake can indicate an improvement in the client’s condition2.

Choice D: Condition of skin on right hand

The client’s hands remain reddened with a 1 cm x 1 cm area of peeling skin noted on the center of the right palm. This could indicate a worsening condition, as it may be a result of excessive handwashing, a common compulsion in OCD.

Choice E: Rapid change in mood

The client’s affect rapidly changed throughout the afternoon and early evening; the client is now talkative and appears content. This could indicate an improvement in the client’s condition, as they are engaging more with others and showing more positive emotions.

Choice A reason: Lack of empathy is not a characteristic finding in OCPD. While individuals with OCPD may appear insensitive or less responsive to the needs and feelings of others due to their focus on rules and productivity, this does not equate to a true lack of empathy.

Choice B reason: Preoccupation with details is a hallmark of OCPD. Individuals with this disorder have an excessive concern with orderliness, perfectionism, and control over their environment and tasks. They may become so involved in making every detail perfect that it can hinder task completion and efficiency.

Choice C reason: Exploitative behavior is more characteristic of other personality disorders, such as narcissistic personality disorder, and is not a typical feature of OCPD. People with OCPD are more likely to be overly conscientious and fair in their dealings with others.

Choice D reason: Excessive clinging is not typically associated with OCPD. Instead, individuals with OCPD may have difficulty delegating tasks or working with others unless things are done precisely their way, which stems from their need for control rather than a need for closeness or reassurance.