A client who is being treated with lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder type I begins to develop diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness. Which action should the registered nurse take?
Select one:
Hold the medication and refuse to administer additional doses for 3 days.
Notify the health care provider immediately and give 4 liters of fluids.
Prior to giving the next dose, notify the health care provider of these symptoms and hold the next dose until new orders from provider.
Document the client's symptoms and continue with medication as prescribed.
The Correct Answer is C
Diarrhea, vomiting, and drowsiness are potential signs of lithium toxicity, which can be a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. If a client who is being treated with lithium carbonate develops these symptoms, the nurse should notify the health care provider immediately and hold the next dose of medication until new orders are received from the provider.
Option a. Hold the medication and refuse to administer additional doses for 3 days is not an appropriate action because it does not involve notifying the health care provider or obtaining new orders.
Option b. Notify the health care provider immediately and give 4 liters of fluids is not an appropriate action because it involves administering fluids without obtaining orders from the health care provider.
Option d. Document the client’s symptoms and continue with medication as prescribed is not an appropriate action because it does not involve notifying the health care provider or holding the next dose of medication.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A full bladder can help improve the quality of an abdominal ultrasound by pushing the intestines out of the way and providing a clearer view of the uterus and baby.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
This statement clearly and accurately conveys the client's complaint of being raped by her date.
Option a uses colloquial language and may not accurately convey the severity and trauma of the situation.
Option c uses vague language that does not clearly state the nature of the incident.
Option d uses subjective language that may not be helpful for accurately documenting the client's complaint.
It's important for healthcare providers to use appropriate language when documenting sensitive situations like sexual assault to ensure clear communication among the healthcare team and accurate documentation for legal and forensic purposes.
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