A nurse in a mental health facility is collecting data from a client who is taking lithium. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider as an indication of lithium toxicity?

B. Allopurinol is primarily prescribed to lower uric acid levels in the blood. It achieves this by inhibiting the enzyme xanthine oxidase, which is involved in the production of uric acid. Lowering uric acid levels helps prevent the formation of uric acid crystals, which can lead to gout attacks or kidney stones.
A. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. Allopurinol is not directly involved in lowering triglyceride levels. Medications that are typically used to lower triglycerides include statins, fibrates, niacin, and omega-3 fatty acids.
C. Albumin is a protein found in the blood, and its levels can be affected by various factors such as liver or kidney function. Allopurinol is not known to directly influence albumin levels. Therefore, an increase in albumin would not be a laboratory finding indicative of the effectiveness of allopurinol.
D. Potassium levels in the blood can be influenced by medications, diet, kidney function, and other factors. Allopurinol is not typically associated with increasing potassium levels. In fact, certain medications used to treat gout, such as thiazide diuretics, can lead to increased potassium levels.

A. Renal function typically declines with age, leading to a decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal blood flow. As a result, medications may be excreted more slowly from the body, leading to an increased risk of drug accumulation and potential toxicity. Adjustments in medication dosages or dosing intervals may be necessary to account for this age-related change.
B. Brain receptors do not change significantly. However, older adults may require lower doses to achieve the same therapeutic effect due to reduced receptor sensitivity.
C. Gastric emptying tends to slow down with age rather than increase. Delayed gastric emptying can affect the absorption of orally administered medications, leading to unpredictable drug levels and potentially reduced efficacy.
D. Hepatic function generally decreases with age, leading to a decline in the metabolic capacity of the liver. This can result in slower drug metabolism and clearance, prolonging the duration of action of medications and increasing the risk of adverse effects.