A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking lorazepam (Ativan) for anxiety and insomnia for several months. The client tells the nurse that he wants to stop taking the medication because he feels better now. Which of the following responses should the nurse give?

“You can stop taking the medication as long as you taper off gradually.”

“You should continue taking the medication until your doctor tells you to stop.”

“You can stop taking the medication immediately without any problems.”

“You should switch to a non-benzodiazepine medication instead.”

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

You can stop taking the medication as long as you taper off gradually.

This is because lorazepam (Ativan) is a benzodiazepine that can cause physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly. Tapering off the dose reduces the risk of withdrawal and rebound anxiety or insomnia.

Choice B is wrong because continuing to take the medication indefinitely may increase the risk of tolerance, dependence, and adverse effects such as sedation, confusion, and memory impairment.

Choice C is wrong because stopping the medication immediately can cause severe withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, tremors, agitation, and hallucinations.

Choice D is wrong because switching to a non-benzodiazepine medication without tapering off lorazepam may not prevent withdrawal symptoms and may cause drug interactions or adverse effects from the new medication.

Normal ranges for lorazepam (Ativan) are 0.02 to 0.03 mg/kg/day divided into two or three doses for anxiety and 0.01 to 0.02 mg/kg at bedtime for insomnia.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Serum lithium levels should be monitored regularly while taking this medication because lithium has a narrow therapeutic range and can cause toxicity if the levels are too high or ineffective if the levels are too low.The normal range for serum lithium levels is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L (0.6 to 1.2 mmol/L).

Choice A is wrong because blood glucose levels are not affected by lithium and do not need to be monitored regularly.

Choice B is wrong because serum potassium levels are not affected by lithium and do not need to be monitored regularly.

Choice D is wrong because serum calcium levels are not affected by lithium and do not need to be monitored regularly.

A. The client should be advised to avoid aged cheese while taking this medication. B. The client should be advised to avoid red wine while taking this medication. C. The client may experience hypertensive crisis if aged cheese or red wine are consumed while taking this medication. D. The client may experience serotonin syndrome if aged cheese or red wine are consumed while taking this medication. E. The client may experience hypotension if aged cheese or red wine are consumed while taking this medication.

Correct Answer is ["C"]

Explanation

The client may experience hypertensive crisis if aged cheese or red wine are consumed while taking this medication.This is because aged cheese and red wine contain tyramine, an amino acid that can cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure when mixed with MAOIs.MAOIs are drugs that inhibit the enzyme that breaks down excess tyramine in the body.A hypertensive crisis can be deadly and requires emergency treatment.

Choice A and B are partially correct, but not complete. The client should be advised to avoid aged cheese and red wine while taking this medication, but this does not explain why or what could happen if they do not.

Choice D is wrong because serotonin syndrome is caused by too much serotonin, not tyramine.Serotonin syndrome can occur when MAOIs are taken with other drugs that increase serotonin levels, such as SSRIs.

Choice E is wrong because hypotension is low blood pressure, not high blood pressure.

Tyramine can cause hypertension, not hypotension.Hypotension can be a side effect of some MAOIs, but it is not related to tyramine intake.

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A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking lorazepam (Ativan) for anxiety and insomnia for several months. The client tells the nurse that he wants to stop taking the medication because he feels better now. Which of the following responses should the nurse give?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium carbonate (Lithobid). Which of the following laboratory values should be monitored regularly while taking this medication?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Select all that apply: A client has been prescribed an MAOI for depression and reports eating aged cheese and drinking red wine at dinner last night.

Correct Answer is ["C"]

Explanation

A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for buspirone to treat anxiety. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking lorazepam (Ativan) for anxiety and insomnia for several months. The client tells the nurse that he wants to stop taking the medication because he feels better now. Which of the following responses should the nurse give?

A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and is taking lithium carbonate (Lithobid). Which of the following laboratory tests should be monitored periodically while the client is taking this medication?

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