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 B

Explanation

A. "I will learn how to voluntarily control my blood pressure and heart rate."
This statement indicates the client might be referring to techniques such as biofeedback or relaxation exercises that involve controlling physiological responses consciously. While these are relaxation techniques, they are not specifically cognitive reframing. Cognitive reframing focuses on changing negative thought patterns.

B. "I will practice replacing negative thoughts with positive self-statements."
This statement accurately reflects the concept of cognitive reframing. It involves identifying negative or unhelpful thoughts and consciously replacing them with positive, empowering, or rational thoughts. This technique is widely used in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help individuals manage stress, anxiety, and various mental health issues.

C. "I will focus on a mental image while concentrating on my breathing."
This statement describes a relaxation technique where individuals visualize a calming image and synchronize their breathing with this mental image. While this practice is beneficial for relaxation, it is not cognitive reframing. Cognitive reframing specifically deals with changing the content of thoughts, not necessarily focusing on mental imagery.

D. "I will progressively relax each of my muscle groups when feeling stressed."
This statement describes a relaxation technique known as progressive muscle relaxation. It involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups to reduce physical tension and stress. While this technique is excellent for relaxation, it is not cognitive reframing. Cognitive reframing pertains to changing thoughts, not physical sensations.

A. "What have you done to change your situation?" B. "You should remove yourself from this situation now." C. “Are you thinking about harming yourself?" D. “We will help get you through this. You'll be fine."

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. "What have you done to change your situation?"
This response can come off as accusatory and might make the client feel judged. It's not the most therapeutic response in this situation.

B. "You should remove yourself from this situation now."
While removing oneself from a harmful situation is generally good advice, it might not be practical or safe in the heat of the moment. Moreover, this response doesn't address the underlying emotional distress the client is expressing.

C. “Are you thinking about harming yourself?"
This response directly assesses the client's suicidal ideation. It's essential to ask direct questions about self-harm when a person expresses feelings of hopelessness, as it provides an opportunity for the client to talk about their thoughts and feelings and for the nurse to assess the level of risk accurately.

D. “We will help get you through this. You'll be fine."
While offering support and reassurance is essential, it doesn't directly address the immediate concern of potential suicidal thoughts. The nurse should assess the client's safety first before providing reassurance.

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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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