A nurse assessing a client who has a new diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

Lithium is a commonly used medication for treating bipolar disorder, and therapeutic drug monitoring is crucial to ensure its effectiveness and prevent potential toxicity. Monitoring the client's lithium levels in the blood is important because lithium has a narrow therapeutic range, meaning that levels that are too low might not provide the desired therapeutic effect, while levels that are too high can lead to toxicity.

B) "This medication is addictive, so you will need to discontinue it in six months."

Lithium is not considered addictive. It's important to provide accurate information about the nature of the medication to avoid unnecessary concerns.

C) "Weight gain should be reported to your provider as an indication of lithium toxicity."

While weight gain can be a side effect of some medications, it's not a specific indicator of lithium toxicity. Lithium toxicity is characterized by a range of symptoms including tremors, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and excessive thirst, among others.

D) "Your provider may prescribe a diuretic if you have trouble urinating while taking lithium."

Diuretics are generally not recommended with lithium because they can increase the risk of lithium toxicity. Lithium can affect kidney function, and using diuretics may exacerbate this effect. The client should be advised not to use diuretics without consulting their healthcare provider.

A. Hyperactivity: While some individuals with eating disorders may engage in excessive physical activity as a form of compensatory behavior, hyperactivity is not a consistent and universal manifestation.

B. Amenorrhea: Adolescents with eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa, often experience amenorrhea (absence of menstrual periods) due to hormonal imbalances and low body weight.

C. Verbalized desire to gain weight: Individuals with eating disorders, especially anorexia nervosa, often express a strong desire to lose weight rather than gain weight, which contributes to their restrictive eating habits.

D. Altered body image: Eating disorders are often associated with distorted body image, where individuals perceive themselves as overweight or larger than they actually are, even if they are underweight.

E. Bradycardia: Severe malnutrition, as seen in eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, can lead to bradycardia (slow heart rate) as the body conserves energy in response to the low caloric intake.