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. Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health disorder not characterized by time-specific delirium.
B. Sundowning syndrome refers to increased confusion and agitation in the late afternoon and evening, often seen in patients with delirium or dementia.
C. Disordered thinking can be a symptom of many conditions but does not specifically describe time-related delirium.
D. Dementia is a chronic condition that can include sundowning but does not specifically describe this time-related agitation and confusion.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Having a nonjudgmental attitude: A nonjudgmental attitude fosters trust and openness, encouraging the patient to provide honest answers.
B. Promising the patient not to tell anyone: This may be unethical and impractical as certain information may need to be shared for the patient's care.
C. Not asking personal questions: Personal questions are necessary to understand the patient's condition and provide appropriate care.
D. Including the family: Including the family might inhibit the patient's honesty due to fear of judgment or privacy concerns.
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