A client becomes very dejected and states, "No one really cares what happens to me. Life isn't worth living anymore." Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

While offering female assistive personnel for personal hygiene care is one option, it doesn't necessarily address the larger concern of the client's discomfort with a male nurse in her care team. The nurse manager's response should address the client's overall care and interactions.

B) "Your doctor is a man, so it seems like this should not be a problem."

Comparing the client's situation to the gender of the doctor might not be perceived as sensitive or supportive. The client's comfort with different members of the care team can vary, and it's important to address her concerns directly.

C) "I can review the assignments and arrange for a female nurse to care for you."

Explanation:

Respecting a patient's preferences and comfort is an important aspect of patient-centered care. If the female client expresses discomfort with a male nurse providing care due to her traumatic experience, it's appropriate for the nurse manager to accommodate her request if feasible. Changing the assignment to ensure that a female nurse provides care respects the client's wishes and helps create a more supportive and comfortable environment.

D) "The nurse assigned to care for you is very capable and cares for other women in this situation."

While it's important to emphasize the capabilities of the nurse, this response does not directly address the client's expressed discomfort with a male nurse. It's crucial to prioritize the client's feelings and concerns in this situation.

Lithium is a commonly used medication for treating bipolar disorder, and therapeutic drug monitoring is crucial to ensure its effectiveness and prevent potential toxicity. Monitoring the client's lithium levels in the blood is important because lithium has a narrow therapeutic range, meaning that levels that are too low might not provide the desired therapeutic effect, while levels that are too high can lead to toxicity.

B) "This medication is addictive, so you will need to discontinue it in six months."

Lithium is not considered addictive. It's important to provide accurate information about the nature of the medication to avoid unnecessary concerns.

C) "Weight gain should be reported to your provider as an indication of lithium toxicity."

While weight gain can be a side effect of some medications, it's not a specific indicator of lithium toxicity. Lithium toxicity is characterized by a range of symptoms including tremors, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and excessive thirst, among others.

D) "Your provider may prescribe a diuretic if you have trouble urinating while taking lithium."

Diuretics are generally not recommended with lithium because they can increase the risk of lithium toxicity. Lithium can affect kidney function, and using diuretics may exacerbate this effect. The client should be advised not to use diuretics without consulting their healthcare provider.