A client with a history of bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. Which teaching point should the nurse emphasize?

Maintain consistent salt intake

Avoid high-fiber foods

Increase caffeine consumption

Limit physical exercise

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Consistent salt intake is critical for lithium, as sodium levels affect lithium excretion. Low sodium increases lithium toxicity, causing tremors or confusion. Maintaining stable sodium intake ensures therapeutic levels, making this the priority teaching point for safe lithium therapy.

Choice B reason: Avoiding high-fiber foods is irrelevant to lithium therapy. Fiber affects gastrointestinal health but not lithium pharmacokinetics. Consistent salt intake is essential, as sodium fluctuations alter lithium clearance, risking toxicity, making dietary sodium the priority teaching focus.

Choice C reason: Increasing caffeine is inappropriate, as it may exacerbate bipolar symptoms and increase lithium excretion, risking subtherapeutic levels. Consistent salt intake stabilizes lithium levels, preventing toxicity or inefficacy, making it the critical teaching point for effective bipolar management.

Choice D reason: Limiting physical exercise is unnecessary for lithium therapy. Exercise supports mental health in bipolar disorder but does not directly affect lithium levels. Consistent salt intake is the priority, as sodium balance ensures safe and effective lithium therapy.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A reason: An IgE-mediated (Type I) hypersensitivity reaction, like anaphylaxis, occurs post-bee sting, with rapid onset of rash, shortness of breath, hypotension, and tachycardia. IgE antibodies trigger mast cell degranulation, releasing histamine, causing vasodilation, bronchoconstriction, and systemic symptoms, matching the client’s acute presentation.

Choice B reason: Cell-mediated (Type IV) hypersensitivity involves T-cells, causing delayed reactions like contact dermatitis, not rapid systemic symptoms. Bee sting reactions are immediate, driven by IgE, not T-cells. Rash, hypotension, and respiratory distress indicate anaphylaxis, not a delayed cell-mediated response.

Choice C reason: Autoimmune responses involve self-directed antibodies, as in lupus, not triggered by external allergens like bee stings. The client’s acute rash, hypotension, and respiratory distress suggest an IgE-mediated anaphylactic reaction, not an autoimmune process, which is unrelated to acute allergen exposure.

Choice D reason: Type II hypersensitivity involves antibody-mediated cytotoxicity, as in transfusion reactions, not allergen-induced systemic symptoms. Bee sting reactions are IgE-driven, causing immediate anaphylaxis with rash and hypotension, not cytotoxic damage, making Type II inappropriate for the client’s acute presentation.

A. Reports of chronic constipation and serum gastrin levels B. Serum Helicobacter pylori antibody results and urine output amounts C. Presence of bowel sounds and degree of abdominal pain D. Severity of nausea and vomiting and serum amylase results

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Chronic constipation and serum gastrin levels are not directly relevant to acute pancreatitis. Constipation may indicate gastrointestinal issues, but gastrin primarily relates to gastric acid secretion. These do not confirm pancreatitis or guide acute management, unlike amylase levels, which are diagnostic for pancreatic inflammation.

Choice B reason: Helicobacter pylori antibodies indicate gastric infection, unrelated to pancreatitis, which involves pancreatic inflammation. Urine output is a general vital sign but not specific to pancreatitis diagnosis. Amylase and symptom severity are more critical for confirming and managing acute pancreatitis, making this less valuable.

Choice C reason: Bowel sounds and abdominal pain degree provide general information but are nonspecific. Pain is expected in pancreatitis, and bowel sounds may vary. Serum amylase and nausea/vomiting severity are more diagnostic, directly reflecting pancreatic inflammation and its systemic effects, making them more critical to report.

Choice D reason: Serum amylase levels are a key diagnostic marker for acute pancreatitis, as pancreatic inflammation releases amylase into the blood. Severity of nausea and vomiting reflects disease impact and fluid loss, guiding treatment. These are the most valuable data for reporting, as they confirm diagnosis and inform management.

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A client with a history of bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. Which teaching point should the nurse emphasize?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A client presents to the emergency department with acute abdominal pain and a provisional diagnosis of pancreatitis. The client reports nausea and vomiting from laboratory studies. Which information is most valuable in reporting the client’s status to the healthcare provider?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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