A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has bipolar disorder and will be discharged with a prescription for lithium. The nurse could teach the client which of the following factors puts her at risk for lithium toxicity?
A client runs 4 miles outdoors every afternoon.
The client eats 2 to 3 gm of sodium-containing foods daily.
The client drinks 2 liters of liquids daily.
The client eats foods high in tyramine.
The Correct Answer is A
A. Lithium is excreted through the kidneys, and dehydration and sodium depletion increase the risk of lithium toxicity. A client who runs 4 miles outdoors every afternoon is at risk of excessive sweating and fluid loss, which can lead to dehydration and sodium depletion. This reduces lithium excretion, leading to toxic levels in the blood.
B. A normal sodium intake helps maintain lithium balance. A low sodium intake increases lithium retention, but 2-3 grams/day is within the normal recommended range.
C. Adequate hydration helps prevent lithium toxicity. Clients on lithium should drink 2–3 liters of fluid daily to promote kidney function and lithium excretion.
D. Tyramine-rich foods (e.g., aged cheese, cured meats) are a concern for clients on monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), not lithium. Tyramine does not affect lithium levels.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. The client is unwilling to accept that treatment is needed.
This alone may not be sufficient to keep the client under a 72-hour hold. While a person's refusal to accept treatment may indicate a need for care, it might not meet the criteria for involuntary commitment unless there is an immediate danger to the individual or others.
B. The client states that she does not like the neighbor.
Disliking a neighbor is not typically a sufficient reason to place someone under a 72-hour psychiatric hold. The criteria for involuntary commitment usually revolve around a person's potential to harm themselves or others due to their mental state.
C. The client is a danger to herself or others.
Explanation:
In many jurisdictions, a 72-hour psychiatric hold, also known as an involuntary psychiatric hold or emergency detention, allows mental health professionals to detain a person who is considered a danger to themselves or others due to their mental condition. This is done to ensure the safety of the individual and those around them. The hold provides a brief period during which a psychiatric assessment can be conducted to determine the appropriate course of action for the person's mental health treatment.
D. The client states that she plans to move out of the state immediately.
While this statement might raise concerns about the client's stability, it generally would not meet the criteria for a 72-hour hold unless there is clear evidence that the client's immediate move would pose a risk to their own safety or the safety of others. The hold is more focused on imminent danger rather than potential future actions.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
This action might be premature. MAOIs (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) are a class of antidepressants with specific dietary and medication interactions. They are typically considered when other classes of antidepressants have not been effective. It's important to exhaust other options before considering a switch to MAOIs.
B. Explain that antidepressants often take several weeks to be fully effective:
Explanation: Correct Answer. This is an appropriate response. Antidepressants, including citalopram, can take several weeks to show their full therapeutic effects. It's common for some symptoms to improve before others. Educating the client about the delayed onset of action is important to manage their expectations.
C. Tell the client that the provider will need to change citalopram to a different medication:
Explanation: It might be too early to consider changing the medication after just two weeks, especially since the client reports an improved appetite. Changes in dosage or medication should ideally be discussed with the provider after an adequate trial period.
D. Recommend a sleep study be done on the client:
Explanation: While sleep problems can be associated with depression, it might not be the most appropriate next step based solely on the information provided. It's more important to address the ongoing depressive symptoms before focusing solely on sleep.

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