Which of the following nursing interventions should a nurse perform when caring for a female client with mood disorder who is prescribed lithium?
Instruct to resume regular activities such as driving.
Administer lithium before meals.
Withhold if serum level is less than 1.5 mEq.
Instruct to avoid breastfeeding.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Instruct to resume regular activities such as driving. It is not safe to instruct the client to resume activities like driving immediately, especially at the beginning of lithium therapy, as lithium can cause side effects that may impair the client's ability to safely perform tasks such as driving.
B. Administer lithium before meals. Lithium is typically taken with food to minimize gastrointestinal upset. Administering it before meals may increase the risk of side effects like nausea.
C. Withhold if serum level is less than 1.5 mEq. Lithium should be withheld if the serum level is above the therapeutic range (typically 0.6–1.2 mEq/L), as higher levels can lead to toxicity. Withholding lithium if the level is less than 1.5 mEq/L is incorrect and could lead to inadequate treatment.
D. Instruct to avoid breastfeeding. Lithium is excreted in breast milk and can pose a risk to the infant, so the client should be advised against breastfeeding while on lithium therapy.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "I feel like everyone depends on me too much." This statement indicates a sense of responsibility and connection to others, which may not directly indicate suicidal ideation.
B. "Life has lost its meaning for me." This statement is a strong indicator of hopelessness, which is a key risk factor for suicide. The client feels that life is meaningless, which could indicate a desire to end their life.
C. "I wish I could just take a vacation and get away from it all." While this statement may indicate stress or a desire to escape, it does not directly suggest suicidal intent.
D. "I feel like a failure and wish one thing would just go right." This statement indicates frustration and low self-worth, but it doesn't necessarily indicate an immediate risk of suicide as clearly as statement B.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "Are you feeling worse since taking the medication?" This is an important safety question to ask, as it helps to assess whether the client’s condition has worsened since starting the medication. However, it is not the first priority when evaluating the efficacy of a newly prescribed antidepressant.
B. "How long have you been taking the medication?" This is the most important question to ask first because the effectiveness of imipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, can take several weeks to become apparent. If the client has not been taking the medication for an adequate period, the drug may simply not have had enough time to work yet.
C. "What time of day are you taking the medication?" While the timing of the medication can affect side effects, it is less critical than knowing how long the client has been on the medication when assessing its effectiveness.
D. "What dosage of medication are you taking?" This is an important follow-up question but not the first priority. The duration of treatment is more critical to assess before considering dosage adjustments.
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