Case Study: Ellen Hawkbridge is a 57-year-old woman, who was brought into the Emergency Department by police. She was found intoxicated at the local RSL club, harassing patrons and refusing to leave...

Case Study:

Ellen Hawkbridge is a 57-year-old woman, who was brought into the Emergency Department by police. She was found intoxicated at the local RSL club, harassing patrons and refusing to leave premises when requested by club security. Ellen’s husband, Simon, was notified by police of her behaviours; he arrived at the hospital approximately 30 minutes after Ellen and police. Simon reports that Ellen had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she was 23, with numerous admissions over the years; her last admission to hospital 18 months ago, for a depressive episode, a phase of her Bipolar disorder.  At this time she was commenced on Sertraline 100mg mane.  Ellen’s medications have been reviewed, and lithium carbonate 500mg BD and zulcopenthixol decanoate 150mg  IMI 2/52 have been prescribed by the treating team.

Questions:

 Identify and describe the following four (4) key components of the mental state, as they relate to Ellen’s presentation:

Mood

Thought Content

Thought form

Insight

2Identify and describe two (2) areas of risk for Ellen in relation to her current presentation.

3 Discuss four (4) nursing care priorities for Ellen and provide a nursing intervention and a rational    for each intervention identified.

Identify one (1) recovery principle (as per the National Framework for Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Services).

Describe how this recovery principle can assist in Ellen’s care?