In preparing discharge planning for a client who has been prescribed lithium for the treatment of bipolar disorder, the nurse must be sure that the client demonstrates an understanding of the need to monitor his or her diet for intake of:
Fats
Protein
Sodium
Potassium
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale: fats are directly related to lithium therapy and does not require any special monitoring during the drug’s intake.
Choice B rationale: proteins do not affect the blood levels of lithium hence they do not require any special monitoring during the drug’s intake.
Choice C rationale: Lithium is a salt that can affect the fluid and electrolyte balance in the body and competes with sodium for their reabsorption in the kidneys.
Therefore, if the client consumes too much or too little sodium, it can alter the level of lithium in the blood and cause toxicity or ineffectiveness hence the need for close monitoring.
Choice D rationale: potassium does not affect the blood levels of lithium hence no special monitoring during intake is required.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale: The AIMS Scale refers to the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale and is used in the assessment of patients for the presence of involuntary movements across body regions. The score ranges from zero which denotes the absence of dyskinesia and four which stands for severe, maximal amplitude and persistence of the abnormal movements during the examination period. It is also used to monitor clients with tardive dyskinesia.
Choice B rationale: the Hamilton scale is a multiple-item questionnaire used in the assessment of clients for depression and provides a guide for patient recovery evaluation.
Choice C rationale: the Braden Scale is used in the assessment of clients for the risk of pressure ulcers.
Choice D rationale: the Morse Scale is a Fall Risk Assessment tool used in assessing the probability of a client sustaining a fall.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Clozapine is an antipsychotic medication associated with agranulocytosis which is a condition where the bone marrow does not provide enough white blood cells. This increases an individual’s risk of infections. Therefore, frequent blood tests should be performed on an individual taking this medication to monitor the WBC count and stop the medication if need be.
Choice B rationale: clozapine is not associated with a low hemoglobin level. Anemia may be caused by conditions such as iron deficiency, chronic conditions such as chronic kidney disease, and vitamin B12 deficiency.
Choice C rationale: An increase in white blood cell count is not a side effect of clozapine but can be caused by infections. Clozapine causes low white blood cell count.
Choice D rationale: blood in urine is not a side effect of clozapine but can be caused by the use of medications such as cyclophosphamide.
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