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

"You will need to take this medication on an empty stomach.”

"You will need to consume a low-salt diet while on this medication.”

"You will need your blood levels drawn weekly during the first month.”

"You will need to stop this medication if you develop severe diarrhea.”

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale:

Ingesting lithium (Eskalith) on an empty stomach can lead to gastrointestinal upset. Therefore, clients are generally advised to take this medication with food or milk to minimize these side effects. This choice is incorrect.

Choice B rationale:

While sodium intake can impact lithium levels, clients are usually advised to maintain a consistent, moderate sodium intake rather than adopting a low-salt diet. Extreme dietary changes can affect lithium levels and potentially lead to toxicity, making this choice inaccurate.

Choice C rationale:

Monitoring blood levels of lithium is crucial to ensure therapeutic effectiveness and prevent toxicity. During the initiation phase, frequent monitoring, typically weekly, is necessary to establish the appropriate dosage for each individual. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range, and blood levels need to be closely regulated.

Choice D rationale:

Discontinuing lithium abruptly can lead to worsened bipolar symptoms. Diarrhea can contribute to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, potentially impacting lithium levels, but stopping the medication is not the initial action to take. Adjustments in dosage or management strategies are usually explored before considering discontinuation.

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Identifying the client's coping skills is an important assessment, but in the context of acute anxiety requiring crisis intervention, immediate safety takes precedence over assessment. Coping skills assessment can follow once the client is stable.

Choice B rationale:

Protecting the client from injury to himself is the highest priority in this scenario. Acute anxiety can lead to behaviors that pose a risk to the client's safety, such as self-harm or suicide. Ensuring the client's physical safety is paramount.

Choice C rationale:

Determining the cause of the client's anxiety is relevant for long-term care but not the immediate priority during crisis intervention. Immediate safety concerns must be addressed first.

Choice D rationale:

Ensuring that the client feels safe is important, but physical safety takes precedence. The client's subjective feeling of safety may not necessarily prevent them from engaging in harmful behaviors.

A. Sweating. B. Decreased appetite. C. Discolored urine. D. Hallucinations.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Sweating is not an adverse effect commonly associated with buspirone (Buspar). While some side effects like dizziness, nausea, and headache might occur, sweating is not typically reported as a significant adverse effect of this medication.

Choice B rationale:

Decreased appetite is a potential adverse effect of buspirone (Buspar). However, it is not the most concerning in this context. Anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder can lead to appetite changes, and while this should be monitored, it is not a priority compared to more severe adverse effects.

Choice C rationale:

Discolored urine is not a common adverse effect of buspirone (Buspar). Buspirone is primarily used to treat anxiety and does not usually cause changes in urine color. This effect is unrelated to the medication and likely has a different underlying cause.

Choice D rationale:

Hallucinations are a concerning adverse effect that should be reported to the provider. Hallucinations are not a typical side effect of buspirone and might indicate a more serious issue or an interaction with other medications. Reporting this symptom promptly is crucial to ensuring the client's safety and well-being.

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

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A nurse is caring for a client who requires crisis intervention for acute anxiety. Which of the following nursing actions is the highest priority?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A nurse is taking care of a client who has generalized anxiety disorder and is taking buspar (Buspirone). Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse report to the provider?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A nurse is caring for an older adult client who was alert and oriented at admission but now seems increasingly restless and intermittently confused. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to address the client's safety needs?

A nurse on an inpatient mental health unit is admitting a client who has panic-level anxiety. After orienting the client to his room, which of the following nursing actions is most therapeutic at this time?

A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has alcohol use disorder about Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of the program's basic concepts?

A nurse is caring for a client who is withdrawing from opioids. Which of the following medications would the nurse prepare to administer?

A nurse is taking care of a client who is cognitively impaired. The nurse recognizes that which of the following rooms will provide a therapeutic environment for this client?

A nurse on the medical unit is admitting a client with a history of alcohol use disorder. The nurse is aware that which of the following are potential physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal? (Select all that apply.).

A nurse is leading a group therapy session for clients who are newly diagnosed with cancer. Which of the following statements should be an appropriate response by the nurse?