What symptoms might a nurse anticipate during an assessment of a client in the manic phase of bipolar disorder?

In the manic phase of bipolar disorder, individuals typically exhibit heightened energy and mood disturbances. Symptoms such as distractibility and poor judgment are hallmark signs of this phase. Patients often struggle to maintain focus on tasks, leading to rapid shifts in attention and an inability to filter external stimuli. This distractibility can result in impulsive decisions and behaviors, reflecting poor judgment. For instance, a person may engage in risky financial investments or make reckless social choices during a manic episode due to an inflated sense of confidence and reduced critical thinking.

The other symptoms described, such as withdrawn behavior and sadness, are more characteristic of the depressive phase of bipolar disorder. Increased sleep and inactivity align with depression as well, while extreme levels of anxiety and fear can occur but are not a defining feature of mania. Therefore, the presence of distractibility and poor judgment distinctly identifies the manic phase and supports the correct answer for this assessment.