A client with bipolar disorder admitted with severe depression and suicidal ideation receives a prescription for lithium carbonate, which instruction should the nurse provide to the client?
Eliminate use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. (NSAIDs)
Avoid consuming all foods that contain Iodine.
Notify healthcare provider prior to dental procedures.
Monitor blood glucose levels daily.
The Correct Answer is A
Lithium carbonate is a mood stabilizer commonly used to treat bipolar disorder. However, it has a narrow therapeutic index and requires careful monitoring of serum levels to avoid toxicity. One of the major concerns with lithium therapy is the potential for drug interactions and toxicity. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen can increase lithium levels by reducing its excretion and can lead to lithium toxicity. Therefore, it is essential to instruct the client to eliminate the use of NSAIDs while taking lithium.
Option b) Avoid consuming all foods that contain iodine is incorrect because iodine is not contraindicated with lithium. However, excessive iodine intake can interfere with thyroid function, which can exacerbate mood instability.
Option c) Notify healthcare provider prior to dental procedures is not specific to lithium therapy and is a general precaution that patients with bipolar disorder should follow before any medical or dental procedures.
Option d) Monitor blood glucose levels daily is also not directly related to lithium therapy. While lithium can cause diabetes insipidus, which can lead to excessive thirst and urination, it does not typically affect blood glucose levels.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Terbinafine HCL is primarily metabolized by the liver, and a history of alcoholism may indicate liver dysfunction or damage, which could affect the metabolism and clearance of the drug. The nurse should assess the client's liver function, including liver enzymes, bilirubin levels, and albumin levels, before administering terbinafine HCL.
While options b, c, and d may be important assessment findings, they are not as crucial as a history of alcoholism when it comes to administering terbinafine HCL.
The thick and yellow toenails (option b) are typical symptoms of a fungal toenail infection, which is the reason for prescribing terbinafine HCL.
The white blood cell count (option c) is within normal range.
Being employed as a construction worker (option d) does not have a direct impact on the use of terbinafine HCL.

Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Lactulose is a medication commonly used in the management of hepatic encephalopathy. It works by reducing the absorption of ammonia in the gut, which is a toxin that can accumulate in the blood in patients with liver dysfunction.
Monitoring serum electrolytes and ammonia levels can help the nurse evaluate the effectiveness of lactulose therapy. Elevated ammonia levels can indicate that the medication is not effectively reducing ammonia absorption and may require adjustment in dose or frequency. Additionally, monitoring electrolyte levels can help detect any imbalances that may occur because of lactulose therapy.
Fingerstick glucose levels (option A) are not relevant to evaluating the therapeutic response of lactulose in hepatic encephalopathy.
Stool color and character (option C) may be monitored to assess the side effects of lactulose, such as diarrhea, but are not the best assessments to evaluate therapeutic response.
Serum hepatic enzymes (option D) may be useful in assessing the severity of liver disease but are not the best assessment to evaluate the therapeutic response of lactulose in hepatic encephalopathy.

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