Questions and Answers
Which of the following clinical features is most common among patients with bipolar
disorder in a depressive phase? - Answer-Suicidal Thoughts
This depressive phase of bipolar disorder can lead to suicidal thoughts in patients.
Caregivers should be attentive to bipolar patients experiencing suicidal thoughts during
a depressive stage.
Which of the following clinical features is most common among patients with bipolar
disorder in a depressive phase? - Answer-Sad Affect
Just like they can develop mania, patients can also develop depressive episodes.
Patients display sadness, crying, and a sense of worthlessness.
Which of the following clinical features is most common among patients with bipolar
disorder in a manic phase? - Answer-Rapid Speech
Speech may be rapid, and can be displayed as a continuous flow of accelerated
speech. The sentence structure may be disorganized and incoherent, and speech can
seem pressured.
Which of the following options best describes the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder? -
Answer-Neurotransmitter Dysregulation and Genetic Factors
The exact cause of bipolar disorder has yet to be determined, and most theories
implicate a combination of neurotransmitter dysregulation and genetic factors. For
example, it is believed that there is excess cholinergic transmission during depressive
phases, which decreases during mania. Mania may also be associated with excess
dopamine and serotonin transmission. Genetic predisposition also likely contributes to
the development of bipolar disorder, with multiple different genes currently being
investigated.
Which of the following clinical features is most common among patients with bipolar
disorder in a manic phase? - Answer-Euphoric Mood
When patients are manic, there is euphoria and elation. This person appears to be on a
continuous "high." With this said, the patient's mood is always subject to frequent
variation.
Which of the following clinical features is most common among patients with bipolar
disorder in a manic phase? - Answer-Flight of Ideas