A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who takes lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder. For which of the following findings should the nurse monitor as an adverse effect of lithium carbonate?
Thyroid enlargement
Constipation
Hyporeflexia
Elevated blood pressure
The Correct Answer is A
A. Lithium can cause hypothyroidism and goiter as adverse effects. Therefore, monitoring of thyroid function and physical examination for thyroid enlargement is necessary during lithium therapy.
B. Constipation is not a typical adverse effect of lithium carbonate. It's more commonly associated with side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, or polyuria.
C. Hyporeflexia is not commonly associated with lithium carbonate use. Lithium more commonly affects the central nervous system, leading to symptoms such as tremors, confusion, and seizures in cases of toxicity.
D. Lithium is more commonly associated with the opposite effect, lowering blood pressure rather than elevating it. It's known to have effects on sodium transport in renal tubules, leading to increased water retention and possibly hypotension.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Akathisia refers to a subjective feeling of restlessness and an objective inability to sit still.
It's characterized by a need to move constantly and is not typically associated with choreiform movements, lip smacking, or spastic facial distortions.
B. Dystonia involves sustained or intermittent muscle contractions leading to abnormal postures or twisting movements. It typically presents with muscle spasms, not choreiform movements or lip smacking.
C. Pseudoparkinsonism refers to a collection of symptoms that resemble Parkinson's disease, such as tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability. It does not typically involve choreiform movements or lip smacking.
D. Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements of the face and body, including choreiform movements (rapid, jerky movements), lip smacking, and spastic facial distortions. It often develops after long-term use of antipsychotic medications like chlorpromazine and can persist even after discontinuation of the medication.

Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is a common adverse effect of aminoglycosides such as gentamycin which cause ototoxicity, rather than erythromycin which is a macrolide.
B. Constipation with abdominal cramping, is not a commonly reported side effect of erythromycin; this medication is more likely to cause diarrhea rather than constipation.
C. Common adverse effects of oral erythromycin include gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal cramping and nausea. Therefore, the statement indicating the client is experiencing a common adverse effect would be having a small amount of yellow emesis which aligns with the reported side effects of nausea and vomiting.
D. Swollen lips are not a common adverse effect of erythromycin. This symptom may indicate an allergic reaction or another issue unrelated to the medication.
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