What coping mechanism demonstrated by a patient should indicate to the nurse that the patient is seeking ways to deal with and resolve stress?

A. Take her blood pressure twice a day to check for hypertension. Lithium does not typically cause hypertension. Monitoring blood pressure is not a primary concern for patients on lithium.
B. Have her drug blood level checked every month. Regular monitoring of lithium blood levels is crucial to ensure therapeutic levels and avoid toxicity. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic window, and frequent monitoring helps in adjusting the dose to maintain safe and effective levels.
C. Avoid aged cheese and red wine. This advice is relevant for patients taking MAOIs, not lithium. There is no need for patients on lithium to avoid these foods specifically.
D. Examine her skin closely for eruptions. While skin eruptions can be a side effect of some medications, it is not a primary concern for patients on lithium. The focus should be on monitoring for signs of lithium toxicity and other common side effects like tremors, thyroid dysfunction, and renal impairment.

A. Trim the fingernails short to prevent skin damage from scratching. While this is good advice to prevent further skin damage, it does not directly address the itching.
B. Use cool, wet dressings and baths to promote vasoconstriction. Cool, wet dressings and baths can help soothe itching and reduce inflammation by promoting vasoconstriction.
C. Expose the areas to the sun to promote drying and healing of the lesions. Sun exposure can worsen irritation and is not recommended for treating contact dermatitis.
D. Wear cotton gloves and cover all other affected areas with clothing to prevent environmental irritation. While this can prevent further irritation, it does not directly manage the itching.