A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for lithium carbonate. Prior to administering the first dose, which of the following laboratory values should the nurse evaluate?

A. Levothyroxine is a medication used to treat hypothyroidism by replacing or supplementing thyroid hormone. It is not typically associated with decreased blood pressure.

B. Weight loss can be an indicator that levothyroxine therapy is effective in treating hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism often leads to weight gain, and successful treatment with levothyroxine can help reverse this trend.

C. Levothyroxine therapy primarily targets thyroid hormone levels and is not directly associated with decreased inflammation.

D. Seizures are not typically associated with hypothyroidism or its treatment with levothyroxine.

The effectiveness of levothyroxine is primarily assessed by monitoring thyroid function tests and clinical symptoms such as weight loss, improved energy levels, and resolution of hypothyroid symptoms.

A. Crepitus is a finding associated with subcutaneous emphysema or gas accumulation under the skin, typically not directly related to right ventricular heart failure.

B. Right ventricular heart failure can lead to increased pressure in the pulmonary artery, resulting in symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, and possibly right-sided heart murmurs.

C. Hepatosplenomegaly (enlargement of the liver and spleen) is more commonly associated with conditions such as liver cirrhosis, not specifically right ventricular heart failure.

D. Confusion is not typically associated with right ventricular heart failure unless there are complications such as hypoxemia or impaired cerebral perfusion.