A nurse is caring for a client who has an extremely elevated lithium level. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
Prepare for gastric lavage.
Hold the medication and assess for early manifestations of toxicity.
Check the client's medication record to assess whether the client has been refusing her lithium.
Administer the morning dose of lithium.
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Gastric lavage is typically not the first-line treatment for lithium toxicity due to the risk of aspiration and potential complications. It is usually reserved for cases where the ingestion was recent and massive.
Choice B reason: When a client presents with an extremely elevated lithium level, it is crucial to hold further doses to prevent exacerbation of toxicity. The nurse should monitor for early signs of toxicity, which include gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and neurological symptoms such as tremors, confusion, and ataxia. The normal therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mmol/L, and levels above 1.5 mmol/L are considered toxic.
Choice C reason: While it is important to review the medication record, the immediate concern with an extremely elevated lithium level is addressing the toxicity. Checking the medication record can be part of the assessment process but is not the priority action.
Choice D reason: Administering the morning dose of lithium could worsen the client's condition by increasing the lithium level further, which is already extremely elevated. This could lead to severe toxicity or even fatal consequences.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["C","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A reason: While sleep disorders can be associated with eating disorders, breathing-related sleep disorders are not commonly known as a direct comorbidity.
Choice B reason: Schizophrenia is a separate mental health condition and is not typically considered a comorbidity of eating disorders.
Choice C reason: OCD can be a comorbidity of eating disorders, as both involve anxiety and control issues.
Choice D reason: Anxiety is commonly comorbid with eating disorders, as anxiety can contribute to the development and maintenance of these disorders.
Choice E reason: Depression is often comorbid with eating disorders, as the psychological distress related to eating disorders can lead to depressive symptoms.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Acrophobia is the fear of heights, not water, and is considered a natural environment type of phobia.
Choice B reason: Aquaphobia is indeed the fear of water, but it is classified as a natural environment type of phobia, not situational.
Choice C reason: Acrophobia is incorrectly associated here; it is the fear of heights and not related to water.
Choice D reason: Aquaphobia is the correct term for an excessive fear of water, and it is identified as a natural environment type of phobia.
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