A nurse reviews the laboratory report for a client who is receiving lithium three times daily PO. The client's current blood lithium level is 1.8 mEq/L. The nurse identifies that this lab value indicates which of the following?.
The lithium level is within the therapeutic level for initial treatment.
The lithium level is below the therapeutic treatment level.
The lithium level is at the toxic level.
A blood lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L is not within the maintenance treatment level.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L is above the therapeutic level for initial treatment (0.8 to 1.4 mEq/L)3.
Choice B rationale:
A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L is above, not below, the therapeutic treatment level.
Choice C rationale:
A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L is at the toxic level. A blood lithium level greater than 1.5 mEq/L indicates toxicity.
Choice D rationale:
A lithium level of 1.8 mEq/L is not within the maintenance treatment level (0.4 to 1.3 mEq/L)3.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Delusional disorder is characterized by the presence of one or more delusions for a month or longer, which could be plausible but are not real. This is not the case here.
Choice B rationale:
Anhedonia refers to the inability to experience pleasure, a common symptom in many mental disorders, including depression. It does not apply to this situation.
Choice C rationale:
Associative looseness, or loose associations, is a thought disorder characterized by speech in which ideas shift from one subject to another that is unrelated or minimally related. The client’s statement is an example of this.
Choice D rationale:
Hallucinations are sensory experiences that occur in the absence of actual stimulation. The client’s statement is not a hallucination, but a disorganized thought process.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The client is displaying manifestations of lithium toxicity, which includes ataxia and blurred vision. Therefore, the nurse should withhold the medication.
Choice B rationale:
Administering the next dose as prescribed could potentially exacerbate the client’s symptoms and increase the risk of further toxicity.
Choice C rationale:
Propranolol is not typically used in the management of lithium toxicity.
Choice D rationale:
Levothyroxine is used to treat hypothyroidism and is not relevant in this context.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.