A nurse is collecting data from a client who has bipolar disorder with mania.
Which finding is the nurse’s priority?

Choice D rationale:

Lithium toxicity is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. It can occur when lithium levels in the blood become too high.

Blurred vision and nausea are common early symptoms of lithium toxicity.

Withholding the medication is the most important action the nurse can take to prevent further toxicity and potential harm to the client.

The nurse should immediately notify the healthcare provider of the client's symptoms and the decision to withhold the medication.

The healthcare provider will likely order a lithium level to be drawn to assess the severity of the toxicity.

Depending on the results of the lithium level, the healthcare provider may order other interventions, such as intravenous fluids or medications to lower the lithium level.

Choice A rationale:

Encouraging the client to rest with his eyes closed may provide some temporary relief from the blurred vision, but it does not address the underlying problem of lithium toxicity.

It is important for the nurse to take more decisive action to prevent further toxicity.

Choice B rationale:

Re-checking the client in 4 hours may delay necessary interventions and allow the lithium toxicity to worsen.

It is important for the nurse to take immediate action to protect the client's health.

Choice C rationale:

Administering the next dose of lithium as prescribed would further increase the lithium level in the blood and could lead to more severe toxicity.

This is not a safe or appropriate action for the nurse to take in this situation.

Choice A rationale:

Concrete thinking is a cognitive distortion characterized by a rigid and literal interpretation of events and experiences. Individuals with concrete thinking often struggle to grasp abstract concepts, metaphors, or multiple perspectives. They tend to view situations in black-and-white terms, with little room for nuance or ambiguity.

Statement A, "I am aware that each problem has only one solution," exemplifies concrete thinking in several ways:

Absolute language: The use of the phrase "each problem has only one solution" suggests a fixed and inflexible mindset. It implies that there is only one correct way to approach any given problem, disregarding the possibility of alternative solutions or perspectives.

Oversimplification: The statement reduces the complexity of problem-solving to a single, definitive answer. It fails to acknowledge the multifaceted nature of most problems, which often require creative thinking, flexibility, and consideration of multiple factors.

Lack of abstract

Intolerance of ambiguity: Concrete thinkers often experience discomfort with uncertainty or open-ended situations. They prefer clear-cut answers and definitive conclusions, which can lead to frustration and anxiety when faced with complex or ambiguous problems.