A nurse in a community mental health clinic is assessing a client who began taking lithium carbonate 5 days ago. The client reports fine hand tremors and has a current lithium level of 1.2 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Instruct the client to consume a low-sodium diet to decrease hand tremors.

Teach the client to take the lithium in a single daily dose

Contact the provider for a possible decrease in the lithium dosage.

Encourage the client to take naproxen sodium to decrease tremors.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

A. Instruct the client to consume a low-sodium diet to decrease hand tremors:
While maintaining a stable sodium intake is important for individuals taking lithium to avoid fluctuations in lithium levels, a low-sodium diet is not specifically indicated to address hand tremors caused by lithium. Adjusting sodium levels is more about maintaining a consistent intake to stabilize lithium levels over time.

B. Teach the client to take the lithium in a single daily dose:
Lithium is often prescribed in divided doses to maintain stable blood levels throughout the day and minimize side effects. However, the dosing regimen (once or multiple times a day) is usually determined by the healthcare provider based on the individual's needs. Changing the dosing frequency is not the primary intervention for managing hand tremors.

C. Contact the provider for a possible decrease in the lithium dosage:
Hand tremors are a common side effect of lithium. If a client is experiencing bothersome side effects within the therapeutic range, the appropriate action is to contact the healthcare provider. The provider can assess the situation, possibly adjust the dosage, or explore other management options to alleviate the tremors while maintaining the therapeutic effect of the medication.

D. Encourage the client to take naproxen sodium to decrease tremors:
Encouraging the client to take naproxen sodium or any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is not recommended when the client is on lithium therapy. NSAIDs can interact with lithium, potentially leading to increased lithium levels and toxicity. Combining these medications should be avoided.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. "This medication is given to help with extrapyramidal side effects."
Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication used to treat the extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) caused by certain psychiatric drugs, particularly antipsychotics. EPS can include symptoms such as muscle stiffness, restlessness, tremors, and other movement disorders. Benztropine helps to alleviate these symptoms, making it an essential medication for individuals experiencing these side effects from antipsychotic medications.

B. "Benztropine helps alleviate your hallucinations."
This statement is incorrect. Benztropine is not primarily used to treat hallucinations; it is used for movement-related side effects as mentioned above.

C. "This medication is given to help with your depression."
This statement is incorrect. Benztropine is not indicated for the treatment of depression.

D. "Benztropine is used to counteract your tachycardia."
This statement is incorrect. Benztropine is not used to treat tachycardia (fast heart rate). It is specifically used for extrapyramidal side effects related to antipsychotic medications.

A. Pseudoephedrine B. Docusate sodium C. Ranitidine D. Ibuprofen

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Pseudoephedrine
Clients taking phenelzine, which is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) used to treat depression, need to avoid certain over-the-counter medications, especially those containing sympathomimetic amines like pseudoephedrine. Combining MAOIs with sympathomimetic medications can lead to a severe increase in blood pressure, potentially causing a hypertensive crisis.

B. Docusate sodium:
Docusate sodium is a stool softener and is generally safe to use with phenelzine. It does not have significant interactions with MAOIs.

C. Ranitidine:
Ranitidine is an H2 blocker used to reduce stomach acid production. It does not have significant interactions with phenelzine.

D. Ibuprofen:
Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used for pain and inflammation. While it does not interact directly with phenelzine, individuals taking phenelzine should avoid other medications, especially NSAIDs, that can increase the risk of bleeding due to phenelzine's effects on platelet function. However, this interaction is not as severe as the interaction between phenelzine and sympathomimetic medications like pseudoephedrine.

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A nurse in a community mental health clinic is assessing a client who began taking lithium carbonate 5 days ago. The client reports fine hand tremors and has a current lithium level of 1.2 mEq/L. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

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