NURS 1020 VSim Core Bipolar Disorder Nursing Care
Practice Questions and Answers
Assessment
Interventions
Medications
patient education
Safety
Therapeutic communication
Question 1
A patient with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Encourage group therapy participation
B. Provide frequent snacks and fluids
C. Confront the patient about inappropriate behavior
D. Allow unlimited physical activity
Answer: B. Provide frequent snacks and fluids
Question 2
Which medication is commonly prescribed as a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium carbonate
C. Haloperidol
D. Lorazepam
Answer: B. Lithium carbonate
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a patient about lithium therapy. Which statement indicates the need
for further teaching?
A. “I will drink plenty of water each day.”
B. “I should avoid excessive salt intake.”
C. “I can stop taking lithium once I feel better.”
D. “I will report signs of tremors to my provider.”
Answer: C. “I can stop taking lithium once I feel better.”
Question 4
During a manic episode, a patient is pacing rapidly and talking loudly. What is the
nurse’s priority?
A. Encourage verbal expression of feelings
B. Provide a calm, low-stimulation environment
C. Ask the patient to sit quietly
D. Engage the patient in competitive activities
Answer: B. Provide a calm, low-stimulation environment
,Question 5
Which laboratory test is most important to monitor for a patient on lithium therapy?
A. Complete blood count
B. Serum lithium level
C. Liver function test
D. Thyroid panel
Answer: B. Serum lithium level
Question 6
A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed valproic acid. Which adverse effect should
the nurse monitor for?
A. Renal toxicity
B. Hepatotoxicity
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Hypertension
Answer: B. Hepatotoxicity
Question 7
Which statement best describes bipolar disorder?
A. A disorder characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania
B. A disorder involving only depressive episodes
C. A disorder involving only manic episodes
D. A disorder caused exclusively by substance abuse
Answer: A. A disorder characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania
Question 8
A patient in a manic phase insists on giving away personal belongings. What is the
nurse’s best response?
A. “That’s very generous of you.”
B. “Let’s wait until you’re feeling better before making decisions.”
C. “You should not give away your things.”
D. “I’ll help you distribute them.”
Answer: B. “Let’s wait until you’re feeling better before making decisions.”
Question 9
Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for a patient experiencing mania?
A. Risk for fluid volume deficit
B. Social isolation
C. Risk for injury
D. Chronic low self-esteem
Answer: C. Risk for injury
Question 10
Which teaching point is essential for a patient starting lithium therapy?
A. Avoid caffeine
B. Maintain consistent sodium intake
, C. Stop medication if nausea occurs
D. Take medication only at bedtime
Answer: B. Maintain consistent sodium intake
Question 11
A patient with bipolar disorder is experiencing pressured speech. What is the nurse’s
best action?
A. Interrupt frequently to redirect
B. Listen attentively and allow expression
C. Ask the patient to slow down
D. Ignore the patient until speech subsides
Answer: B. Listen attentively and allow expression
Question 12
Which food should a patient on lithium therapy avoid?
A. Bananas
B. Pickles
C. Apples
D. Bread
Answer: B. Pickles (high sodium content can affect lithium levels)
Question 13
A patient with bipolar disorder is admitted with dehydration. Which factor likely
contributed?
A. Excessive sleep
B. Poor fluid intake during mania
C. Medication overdose
D. Social withdrawal
Answer: B. Poor fluid intake during mania
Question 14
Which statement by a patient indicates effective coping with bipolar disorder?
A. “I know I can stop my medication when I feel stable.”
B. “I will keep a mood diary to track my symptoms.”
C. “I don’t need to attend therapy sessions.”
D. “I can drink alcohol occasionally with my medication.”
Answer: B. “I will keep a mood diary to track my symptoms.”
Question 15
Which side effect of lithium requires immediate medical attention?
A. Mild thirst
B. Fine hand tremors
C. Severe diarrhea
D. Increased urination
Answer: C. Severe diarrhea
Practice Questions and Answers
Assessment
Interventions
Medications
patient education
Safety
Therapeutic communication
Question 1
A patient with bipolar disorder is in a manic phase. Which nursing intervention is most
appropriate?
A. Encourage group therapy participation
B. Provide frequent snacks and fluids
C. Confront the patient about inappropriate behavior
D. Allow unlimited physical activity
Answer: B. Provide frequent snacks and fluids
Question 2
Which medication is commonly prescribed as a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder?
A. Fluoxetine
B. Lithium carbonate
C. Haloperidol
D. Lorazepam
Answer: B. Lithium carbonate
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a patient about lithium therapy. Which statement indicates the need
for further teaching?
A. “I will drink plenty of water each day.”
B. “I should avoid excessive salt intake.”
C. “I can stop taking lithium once I feel better.”
D. “I will report signs of tremors to my provider.”
Answer: C. “I can stop taking lithium once I feel better.”
Question 4
During a manic episode, a patient is pacing rapidly and talking loudly. What is the
nurse’s priority?
A. Encourage verbal expression of feelings
B. Provide a calm, low-stimulation environment
C. Ask the patient to sit quietly
D. Engage the patient in competitive activities
Answer: B. Provide a calm, low-stimulation environment
,Question 5
Which laboratory test is most important to monitor for a patient on lithium therapy?
A. Complete blood count
B. Serum lithium level
C. Liver function test
D. Thyroid panel
Answer: B. Serum lithium level
Question 6
A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed valproic acid. Which adverse effect should
the nurse monitor for?
A. Renal toxicity
B. Hepatotoxicity
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Hypertension
Answer: B. Hepatotoxicity
Question 7
Which statement best describes bipolar disorder?
A. A disorder characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania
B. A disorder involving only depressive episodes
C. A disorder involving only manic episodes
D. A disorder caused exclusively by substance abuse
Answer: A. A disorder characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania
Question 8
A patient in a manic phase insists on giving away personal belongings. What is the
nurse’s best response?
A. “That’s very generous of you.”
B. “Let’s wait until you’re feeling better before making decisions.”
C. “You should not give away your things.”
D. “I’ll help you distribute them.”
Answer: B. “Let’s wait until you’re feeling better before making decisions.”
Question 9
Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for a patient experiencing mania?
A. Risk for fluid volume deficit
B. Social isolation
C. Risk for injury
D. Chronic low self-esteem
Answer: C. Risk for injury
Question 10
Which teaching point is essential for a patient starting lithium therapy?
A. Avoid caffeine
B. Maintain consistent sodium intake
, C. Stop medication if nausea occurs
D. Take medication only at bedtime
Answer: B. Maintain consistent sodium intake
Question 11
A patient with bipolar disorder is experiencing pressured speech. What is the nurse’s
best action?
A. Interrupt frequently to redirect
B. Listen attentively and allow expression
C. Ask the patient to slow down
D. Ignore the patient until speech subsides
Answer: B. Listen attentively and allow expression
Question 12
Which food should a patient on lithium therapy avoid?
A. Bananas
B. Pickles
C. Apples
D. Bread
Answer: B. Pickles (high sodium content can affect lithium levels)
Question 13
A patient with bipolar disorder is admitted with dehydration. Which factor likely
contributed?
A. Excessive sleep
B. Poor fluid intake during mania
C. Medication overdose
D. Social withdrawal
Answer: B. Poor fluid intake during mania
Question 14
Which statement by a patient indicates effective coping with bipolar disorder?
A. “I know I can stop my medication when I feel stable.”
B. “I will keep a mood diary to track my symptoms.”
C. “I don’t need to attend therapy sessions.”
D. “I can drink alcohol occasionally with my medication.”
Answer: B. “I will keep a mood diary to track my symptoms.”
Question 15
Which side effect of lithium requires immediate medical attention?
A. Mild thirst
B. Fine hand tremors
C. Severe diarrhea
D. Increased urination
Answer: C. Severe diarrhea
