A nurse in an inpatient mental health facility is reviewing the medical record of a client who has bipolar disorder. When planning to establish a nurse-client relationship with the client, which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take first?

Choice A reason:This client experiences psychological stress that manifests as neurological symptoms, such as blindness, deafness, or paralysis, without an underlying medical cause. These deficits are real to the client, creating significant safety risks. The nurse must prioritize assessing their ability to navigate the environment safely to prevent falls or injuries related to these sudden sensory losses.

Choice B reason: Mild anxiety disorder typically does not involve sensory impairments. Anxiety may cause heightened awareness or sensitivity to stimuli but does not result in a loss of sensory function.

Choice C reason: Narcissistic personality disorder is characterized by patterns of grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy. It does not include sensory impairments as a symptom.

Choice D reason:While this client may engage in time-consuming rituals or repetitive behaviors that interfere with daily life, the disorder does not typically present with neurological or sensory impairments. Potential physical risks for these clients usually involve skin integrity issues from excessive washing or nutritional imbalances rather than the loss of primary senses like sight or hearing.

Choice A reason: Constant talking is a common indicator of mania in individuals with bipolar disorder. During manic episodes, clients may experience pressured speech, which is fast, incessant, and difficult to interrupt. This symptom reflects the increased energy and reduced need for sleep that are characteristic of mania.

Choice B reason: While memory loss is not a definitive indicator of mania, it can occur in bipolar disorder. However, it is more commonly associated with either depressive episodes or the aftermath of a manic episode, rather than the manic phase itself.

Choice C reason: Excessive sleep is typically not associated with mania. In fact, a decreased need for sleep is one of the diagnostic criteria for a manic episode. Clients in a manic phase often feel rested after only a few hours of sleep.

Choice D reason: Expressing feelings of inferiority is not typically indicative of mania. Such feelings are more commonly associated with depressive episodes. Manic episodes often involve inflated self-esteem or grandiosity.