An adult client who is admitted to the mental health unit for treatment of bipolar disorder has a slightly slurred speech pattern and an unsteady gait. Which assessment finding is most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider?

Reference Range
Blood alcohol level [Reference Range: 0 to 10.9 mmol/L (0% to 0.05%)]
Lithium [Reference Range: 0.8 to 1.2 mEq/L or 0.8 to 1.2 mmol/L]

Blood alcohol level of 0.09% (90 mmol/L)

Six hours of sleep in the past three days.

Serum lithium level of 1.6 mEq/L (1.6 mmol/L)

Weight loss of 10 pounds (4.5 kg) in past month.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A: Blood alcohol level of 0.09% (90 mmol/L) is not the most important finding for the nurse to report, as this is within the reference range and does not indicate alcohol intoxication or withdrawal, which can affect the client's mental status and mood stability. This is a distractor choice.

Choice B: Six hours of sleep in the past three days is not the most important finding for the nurse to report, as this is a common symptom of bipolar disorder during manic episodes and does not require immediate intervention by the health care provider. This is another distractor choice.

Choice C: Serum lithium level of 1.6 mEq/L (1.6 mmol/L) is the most important finding for the nurse to report, as this indicates lithium toxicity, which can cause neurological and renal impairment and potentially fatal complications such as seizures, coma, and cardiac dysrhythmias. Therefore, this is the correct choice.

Choice D: Weight loss of 10 pounds (4.5 kg) in past month is not the most important finding for the nurse to report, as this may be related to decreased appetite or increased activity during manic episodes and does not pose an immediate threat to the client's health or safety. This is another distractor choice.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A: Encourage rest until the analgesic becomes effective. This is not the best intervention, as it does not address the client's preference or comfort level. The analgesic may take some time to relieve the pain, and forcing the client to lie down may increase the pressure on the pancreas and worsen the pain.

Choice B: Raise head of bed until at a 90 degree angle. This is not the best intervention, as it does not address the client's preference or comfort level. Raising the head of bed may help reduce abdominal distension and improve breathing, but it may not relieve the pain as much as leaning forward.

Choice C: Place bed in a reverse Trendelenburg position. This is not the best intervention, as it does not address the client's preference or comfort level. Placing the bed in a reverse Trendelenburg position may help shift the abdominal organs away from the pancreas and reduce inflammation, but it may not relieve the pain as much as leaning forward.

Choice D: Position bedside table so the client can lean across it. This is the best intervention, as it addresses the client's preference and comfort level. Leaning forward may help decrease the tension on the pancreas and relieve the pain. The bedside table can provide support and stability for the client while sitting up.

A. Ask the pharmacist to add the Dextrose to a TPN solution. B. Mix the Dextrose in a 50 mL piggyback for a total volume of 100 mL. C. Push the undiluted Dextrose slowly through the currently infusing IV. D. Dilute the Dextrose in one liter of 0.9% Normal Saline solution.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice C is correct because pushing the undiluted Dextrose slowly through the currently infusing IV is the best way to administer the medication for a client with insulin shock. Insulin shock is a condition in which the blood glucose level drops too low due to excess insulin or insufficient food intake. This can cause symptoms such as confusion, sweating, tremors, or loss of consciousness. The nurse should administer 50% Dextrose IV as a bolus injection to raise the blood glucose level quickly and prevent brain damage.

Choice A is incorrect because asking the pharmacist to add the Dextrose to a TPN solution is not appropriate for a client with insulin shock. TPN stands for total parenteral nutrition, which is a type of intravenous feeding that provides all the nutrients needed by the body. TPN solutions contain dextrose, amino acids, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes in specific concentrations and ratios. Adding extra dextrose to a TPN solution can alter its composition and cause complications such as hyperglycemia or fluid overload.

Choice B is incorrect because mixing the Dextrose in a 50 mL piggyback for a total volume of 100 mL is not effective for a client with insulin shock. A piggyback is a type of intravenous infusion that delivers medication through a secondary tubing attached to the primary tubing of another solution. Mixing the Dextrose in a piggyback can dilute its concentration and reduce its potency. It can also delay its delivery and onset of action.

Choice D is incorrect because diluting the Dextrose in one liter of 0.9% Normal Saline solution is not safe for a client with insulin shock. Normal Saline is a type of intravenous fluid that contains sodium chloride in isotonic concentration. Diluting the Dextrose in one liter of Normal Saline can lower its concentration and increase its volume significantly. This can cause complications such as hypoglycemia or fluid overload.

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client with pancreatitis complains of severe epigastric pain, so the nurse administers a prescribed narcotic analgesic. Ten minutes later, the client insists on sitting up and leaning forward. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is preparing a 50 mL dose of 50% Dextrose IV for a client with insulin shock. How should the nurse administer the medication?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

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