Theoretical and Scientific Foundations of Nursing

2

Practice Problem as a Critical Question with Measurable Ou

Practice Problem as a Critical Question with Measurable Outcome

Critical Question

Evidence-based practice quality improvement (EBP QI) is essential in nursing since it helps nurses identify and implement best practices proven to improve patient outcomes. Integrating evidence-based interventions into practice reduces complications, enhances recovery times, and improves overall patient well-being. My practice issue is bipolar disorder. How can a DNP-prepared nurse reduce relapse rates in individuals with bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder and a severe recurrent mental issue. Individuals with bipolar disorder experience serious changes in their mood. Although effective drugs for the condition are available, bipolar remains one of the significant causes of disability, mortality, and functional decline, significantly reducing patients' quality of life (Rantala et al., 2021). If individuals with bipolar disorder are not given proper treatment and follow-up, the disorder usually relapses during their lives. Relapse is a significant therapeutic challenge for individuals with mental illnesses, particularly those with bipolar disorder. It imposes significant economic and societal costs. Relapse is a term used frequently in the mental health delivery system to describe the deterioration of psychiatric patients' conditions and the return of illness following an apparent period of recovery. For individuals with bipolar disorder, discontinuing medication against the recommendations of mental health specialists may cause a recurrence of mood episodes, delayed remission, and residual symptoms. These outcomes commonly result in hospitalization, heightened risk of suicide, and hindered psychosocial recovery (Rantala et al., 2021).

The Value of Addressing High Relapse Rates in Bipolar Patients as a Quality Improvement Initiative.

Focusing on the reduction or relapse rates should be a focus of a quality improvement initiative since relapse undermines outcomes for patients with bipolar disorder. According to research, over 90% of patients with the condition experience relapse during their lifetime, usually within the first two years of an initial episode (Davarinejad et al., 2021). Relapses in bipolar disorder are reasonably common. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the precise relapse rate but have shown varying results. In summary, the longer one has bipolar disorder, the greater the likelihood of relapse (Davarinejad et al., 2021). On the other hand, adhering to recommended treatment plans reduces patients' chances of recurrence by spacing out episodes and giving them more time in the euthymic, stable state. One of the significant goals of an evidence-based treatment plan is to keep bipolar disorder from relapsing.

The impacts of relapse are significant for bipolar patients. Relapse worsens the symptoms of bipolar. Manic and depressive episodes affect patients significantly, disrupting their daily lives. These patients often struggle to function effectively in various life aspects, including work and relationships (Davarinejad et al., 2021). Individuals with bipolar disorder may also turn to substance abuse to cope with severe mood swings and distress brought on by relapse. Substance abuse significantly affects patient outcomes. It is also important to note that after relapse, some patients may become less compliant with treatment plans, worsening their condition (Davarinejad et al., 2021). Given the adverse effects of bipolar disorder relapse, EBP QI is needed to aim to reduce relapse rates.

References

Davarinejad, O., Majd, T. M., Golmohammadi, F., Mohamadi, P., Radmehr, F., Nazari, S., & Moradinazar, M. (2021). Factors Influencing the Number of Relapse in Patients with Bipolar I Disorder.  Shiraz E-Medical Journal,  22(8).

McIntyre, R. S., Berk, M., Brietzke, E., Goldstein, B. I., López-Jaramillo, C., Kessing, L. V., ... & Mansur, R. B. (2020). Bipolar disorders.  The Lancet,  396(10265), 1841-1856.

O'Donovan, C., & Alda, M. (2020). Depression preceding diagnosis of bipolar disorder.  Frontiers in psychiatry,  11, 500.

Rantala, M. J., Luoto, S., Borráz-León, J. I., & Krams, I. (2021). Bipolar disorder: An evolutionary psychoneuroimmunological approach.  Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews,  122, 28-37.

2

Practice Problem as a Critical Question with Measurable Ou

Practice Problem as a Critical Question with Measurable Outcome

Critical Question

Evidence-based practice quality improvement (EBP QI) is essential in nursing since it helps nurses identify and implement best practices proven to improve patient outcomes. Integrating evidence-based interventions into practice reduces complications, enhances recovery times, and improves overall patient well-being. My practice issue is bipolar disorder. How can a DNP-prepared nurse reduce relapse rates in individuals with bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder and a severe recurrent mental issue. Individuals with bipolar disorder experience serious changes in their mood. Although effective drugs for the condition are available, bipolar remains one of the significant causes of disability, mortality, and functional decline, significantly reducing patients' quality of life (Rantala et al., 2021). If individuals with bipolar disorder are not given proper treatment and follow-up, the disorder usually relapses during their lives. Relapse is a significant therapeutic challenge for individuals with mental illnesses, particularly those with bipolar disorder. It imposes significant economic and societal costs. Relapse is a term used frequently in the mental health delivery system to describe the deterioration of psychiatric patients' conditions and the return of illness following an apparent period of recovery. For individuals with bipolar disorder, discontinuing medication against the recommendations of mental health specialists may cause a recurrence of mood episodes, delayed remission, and residual symptoms. These outcomes commonly result in hospitalization, heightened risk of suicide, and hindered psychosocial recovery (Rantala et al., 2021).

The Value of Addressing High Relapse Rates in Bipolar Patients as a Quality Improvement Initiative.

Focusing on the reduction or relapse rates should be a focus of a quality improvement initiative since relapse undermines outcomes for patients with bipolar disorder. According to research, over 90% of patients with the condition experience relapse during their lifetime, usually within the first two years of an initial episode (Davarinejad et al., 2021). Relapses in bipolar disorder are reasonably common. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the precise relapse rate but have shown varying results. In summary, the longer one has bipolar disorder, the greater the likelihood of relapse (Davarinejad et al., 2021). On the other hand, adhering to recommended treatment plans reduces patients' chances of recurrence by spacing out episodes and giving them more time in the euthymic, stable state. One of the significant goals of an evidence-based treatment plan is to keep bipolar disorder from relapsing.

The impacts of relapse are significant for bipolar patients. Relapse worsens the symptoms of bipolar. Manic and depressive episodes affect patients significantly, disrupting their daily lives. These patients often struggle to function effectively in various life aspects, including work and relationships (Davarinejad et al., 2021). Individuals with bipolar disorder may also turn to substance abuse to cope with severe mood swings and distress brought on by relapse. Substance abuse significantly affects patient outcomes. It is also important to note that after relapse, some patients may become less compliant with treatment plans, worsening their condition (Davarinejad et al., 2021). Given the adverse effects of bipolar disorder relapse, EBP QI is needed to aim to reduce relapse rates.

References

Davarinejad, O., Majd, T. M., Golmohammadi, F., Mohamadi, P., Radmehr, F., Nazari, S., & Moradinazar, M. (2021). Factors Influencing the Number of Relapse in Patients with Bipolar I Disorder.  Shiraz E-Medical Journal,  22(8).

McIntyre, R. S., Berk, M., Brietzke, E., Goldstein, B. I., López-Jaramillo, C., Kessing, L. V., ... & Mansur, R. B. (2020). Bipolar disorders.  The Lancet,  396(10265), 1841-1856.

O'Donovan, C., & Alda, M. (2020). Depression preceding diagnosis of bipolar disorder.  Frontiers in psychiatry,  11, 500.

Rantala, M. J., Luoto, S., Borráz-León, J. I., & Krams, I. (2021). Bipolar disorder: An evolutionary psychoneuroimmunological approach.  Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews,  122, 28-37.