A home health nurse has a patient who is taking lithium. What should be included in the teaching plan?
Take her blood pressure twice a day to check for hypertension.
Have her drug blood level checked every month.
Avoid aged cheese and red wine.
Examine her skin closely for eruptions.
The Correct Answer is B
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Chemical imbalance: Chemical imbalances are more commonly associated with mood disorders and not specifically with organic dementia.
B. Cerebral disease: Dementia is primarily due to changes in brain structure or function, such as those seen in Alzheimer’s disease or other neurodegenerative conditions.
C. Emotional problems: Emotional problems may contribute to other mental health issues but are not the primary cause of dementia.
D. Circulatory impairment: While circulatory problems can contribute to certain types of cognitive impairment, dementia itself is directly related to cerebral disease.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Early recognition is essential to treat the disorder: Early recognition of herpes zoster is crucial to start antiviral therapy and reduce the risk of complications such as postherpetic neuralgia.
B. Oral ulcers could prevent intake of adequate fluids. This does not apply to herpes zoster, as the vesicles are usually not found in the mouth.
C. Prompt notification prevents sexual transmission. Herpes zoster is not sexually transmitted; it is caused by reactivation of varicella zoster virus.
D. Early administration of the varicella vaccine is needed. The varicella vaccine is not used to treat herpes zoster but rather to prevent chickenpox.
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