A home health nurse has a patient who is taking lithium. What should be included in the teaching plan?
Take her blood pressure twice a day to check for hypertension.
Have her drug blood level checked every month.
Avoid aged cheese and red wine.
Examine her skin closely for eruptions.
The Correct Answer is B
A. Take her blood pressure twice a day to check for hypertension. Lithium does not typically cause hypertension. Monitoring blood pressure is not a primary concern for patients on lithium.
B. Have her drug blood level checked every month. Regular monitoring of lithium blood levels is crucial to ensure therapeutic levels and avoid toxicity. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic window, and frequent monitoring helps in adjusting the dose to maintain safe and effective levels.
C. Avoid aged cheese and red wine. This advice is relevant for patients taking MAOIs, not lithium. There is no need for patients on lithium to avoid these foods specifically.
D. Examine her skin closely for eruptions. While skin eruptions can be a side effect of some medications, it is not a primary concern for patients on lithium. The focus should be on monitoring for signs of lithium toxicity and other common side effects like tremors, thyroid dysfunction, and renal impairment.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Reaction formation involves behaving in a way opposite to one's true feelings, which is not a constructive coping mechanism.
B. Compensation is a coping mechanism where the patient overcomes weaknesses by emphasizing strengths but may not directly address stress.
C. Adaptation involves adjusting and finding effective ways to manage stress and is a positive coping mechanism.
D. Projection involves attributing one's own undesirable thoughts or feelings to others, which is not a healthy way of resolving stress.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Hypertension: Decreased blood vessel elasticity can lead to increased vascular resistance, resulting in hypertension.
B. Confusion: While confusion can result from poor circulation, it is not a direct result of decreased blood vessel elasticity.
C. Retained secretions: Retained secretions are more related to respiratory issues rather than circulatory changes.
D. Tachycardia: Tachycardia is an increased heart rate and is not a direct result of decreased blood vessel elasticity.
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