lOMoARcPSD|1709022
lOMoARcPSD|1709022
1. Select an appropriate screening tool for Kristin and provide a score for the tool.
One screening tool I recommend for Kristin is the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ). The MDQ is a
brief, self-report screening instrument that can help identify patients who are likely to have bipolar
disorder. When properly diagnosed, the lives of those with bipolar disorder can be significantly
improved. The MDQ consists of three questions. The first question includes 13 items describing mood or
behaviors that the patient endorses as being present or absent during a previous period of abnormal
mood. The following two questions establish the occurrence of any symptoms endorsed in the first
question and the severity of functional impairment caused by the symptoms. If the patient endorses at
least 7 of the 13 symptom items, confirms the occurrence of 2 or more symptoms during the same
period, and rates his or her functional impairment due to the symptoms as moderate to severe. The
MDQ screen is considered positive (Manning, 2010).
Kristen would probably have answered at least 7 of the first 13 questions—the questions being
increased irritability, racing thoughts, decreased concentration, increased activity, increased energy at
times, and spending money. She would confirm the occurrence of 2 or more symptoms during the same
period and rate her functional impairment due to the symptoms as moderate to severe, indicating
positive screening for bipolar disorder (Manning, 2010).
2. Provide a rationale for the screening tool you selected.
The Mood Disorder Questionnaire can be completed in less than 5 minutes. Patients respond to the
questions by checking either the "yes" or "no" boxes, and the final question relates to the patient’s level
of functional impairment. According to Manning (2010), the MDQ has a sensitivity of 58% and a
specificity of 93% for detecting bipolar disorder.
3. Determine the most likely diagnosis for Kristin based on the available information.
In my initial assessment, I would diagnose Kristin with Unspecified Bipolar Disorder (NOS) until I have
the opportunity to conduct a thorough interview and assessment to gain a better understanding of her
condition. Unspecified Bipolar Disorder refers to symptoms that do not fully meet the criteria for any
specific bipolar disorder but still significantly impair functioning, including mood swings, manic episodes,
and depression (Wallen, 2024).
Bipolar I disorder is characterized by manic episodes lasting at least 7 days or by severe manic
symptoms requiring immediate medical attention, often accompanied by depressive episodes lasting at
least two weeks. As Kristin reportedly experiences crafting for 3-4 days, she doesn't meet the criteria for
Bipolar I disorder (Pérez de Mendiola et al., 2021).
Bipolar II disorder involves a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, which are
less severe than the manic episodes seen in Bipolar I disorder. Based on the information provided,
Kristin doesn't fit the criteria for Bipolar II disorder either (Pérez de Mendiola et al., 2021).
4. Provide the ICD-10-CM code for the selected diagnosis
Bipolar Affective Disorder, Unspecified - F31.9
5. Provide a treatment plan with a rationale for each plan step.
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness. People with bipolar disorder may experience episodes of mania and
lOMoARcPSD|1709022
1. Select an appropriate screening tool for Kristin and provide a score for the tool.
One screening tool I recommend for Kristin is the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ). The MDQ is a
brief, self-report screening instrument that can help identify patients who are likely to have bipolar
disorder. When properly diagnosed, the lives of those with bipolar disorder can be significantly
improved. The MDQ consists of three questions. The first question includes 13 items describing mood or
behaviors that the patient endorses as being present or absent during a previous period of abnormal
mood. The following two questions establish the occurrence of any symptoms endorsed in the first
question and the severity of functional impairment caused by the symptoms. If the patient endorses at
least 7 of the 13 symptom items, confirms the occurrence of 2 or more symptoms during the same
period, and rates his or her functional impairment due to the symptoms as moderate to severe. The
MDQ screen is considered positive (Manning, 2010).
Kristen would probably have answered at least 7 of the first 13 questions—the questions being
increased irritability, racing thoughts, decreased concentration, increased activity, increased energy at
times, and spending money. She would confirm the occurrence of 2 or more symptoms during the same
period and rate her functional impairment due to the symptoms as moderate to severe, indicating
positive screening for bipolar disorder (Manning, 2010).
2. Provide a rationale for the screening tool you selected.
The Mood Disorder Questionnaire can be completed in less than 5 minutes. Patients respond to the
questions by checking either the "yes" or "no" boxes, and the final question relates to the patient’s level
of functional impairment. According to Manning (2010), the MDQ has a sensitivity of 58% and a
specificity of 93% for detecting bipolar disorder.
3. Determine the most likely diagnosis for Kristin based on the available information.
In my initial assessment, I would diagnose Kristin with Unspecified Bipolar Disorder (NOS) until I have
the opportunity to conduct a thorough interview and assessment to gain a better understanding of her
condition. Unspecified Bipolar Disorder refers to symptoms that do not fully meet the criteria for any
specific bipolar disorder but still significantly impair functioning, including mood swings, manic episodes,
and depression (Wallen, 2024).
Bipolar I disorder is characterized by manic episodes lasting at least 7 days or by severe manic
symptoms requiring immediate medical attention, often accompanied by depressive episodes lasting at
least two weeks. As Kristin reportedly experiences crafting for 3-4 days, she doesn't meet the criteria for
Bipolar I disorder (Pérez de Mendiola et al., 2021).
Bipolar II disorder involves a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, which are
less severe than the manic episodes seen in Bipolar I disorder. Based on the information provided,
Kristin doesn't fit the criteria for Bipolar II disorder either (Pérez de Mendiola et al., 2021).
4. Provide the ICD-10-CM code for the selected diagnosis
Bipolar Affective Disorder, Unspecified - F31.9
5. Provide a treatment plan with a rationale for each plan step.
Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness. People with bipolar disorder may experience episodes of mania and
