A nurse is preparing to teach a client about the lithium prescription for treating bipolar disorder. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A reason:
Identifying the client's support systems is an important aspect of the assessment, as support systems can play a crucial role in the client's recovery. However, it is not the highest priority during the initial assessment. Support systems can provide emotional, social, and sometimes financial assistance, which can be beneficial in managing a situational crisis.

Choice B reason:
Identifying the client's coping skills is also important because it helps the nurse understand how the client typically deals with stress and crises. Coping skills are mechanisms that individuals use to manage stressful situations and can include problem-solving, seeking support, and using relaxation techniques. However, this is not the highest priority during the initial assessment.

Choice C reason:
Asking the client to identify the cause of the crisis can provide valuable information about the client's perspective and insight into the situation. Understanding the cause can help in planning appropriate interventions. However, this is not the highest priority during the initial assessment, especially if the client is not in a stable condition to discuss the crisis.

Choice D reason:
Determining if the client has psychotic thinking, is the highest priority. Psychotic thinking can include delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thoughts, which may indicate a severe mental health condition that requires immediate attention. It is essential to assess for psychotic symptoms to ensure the safety of the client and others, as well as to determine the need for urgent psychiatric intervention.

Choice A reason:
Caffeine is not typically associated with liver cirrhosis. While excessive consumption of caffeine can have various health implications, it is not considered a direct cause of liver cirrhosis. The liver metabolizes caffeine without significant damage or scarring to the liver tissue.

Choice B reason:
Alcohol is the primary cause of liver cirrhosis in many cases. Chronic alcohol abuse leads to liver damage and subsequent scarring, known as cirrhosis. The liver's function is to process and filter toxins, including alcohol. Excessive and prolonged alcohol consumption overwhelms the liver's ability to process it, leading to inflammation, damage, and eventually scarring of the liver tissue.

Choice C reason:
Inhalants are substances that produce chemical vapors that can be inhaled to induce a psychoactive, or mind-altering, effect. While they can cause a range of acute and chronic health issues, including damage to the heart, kidneys, lungs, and brain, they are not commonly associated with liver cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis is not a typical consequence of inhalant use.

Choice D reason:
Cocaine use can lead to various health problems, including cardiovascular and neurological issues, but it is not commonly identified as a primary cause of liver cirrhosis. Cocaine metabolites can be toxic to the liver; however, the direct causation of cirrhosis from cocaine alone is less established compared to alcohol-related liver disease.