Which assessment finding would a nurse most likely observe in a client experiencing a manic episode of bipolar disorder?

• A. Flat affect and social withdrawal
• B. Persistent feelings of worthlessness
• C. Slow speech and psychomotor retardation
• D. Elevated mood and increased energy

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the characteristics of a manic episode in bipolar disorder, which typically include elevated mood, increased energy, and heightened activity levels.
2. Recognize that flat affect and social withdrawal are more commonly associated with depressive episodes or other disorders such as schizophrenia, not mania.
3. Identify that persistent feelings of worthlessness are symptoms often linked to depressive episodes rather than manic episodes.
4. Note that slow speech and psychomotor retardation are signs of depression or other mood disorders, contrasting with the rapid speech and increased activity seen in mania.
5. Conclude that the most likely assessment finding in a manic episode is an elevated mood combined with increased energy, which aligns with the clinical presentation of mania.