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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
No explanation
Correct Answer is ["2"]
Explanation
To calculate the number of capsules that the nurse should administer per dose, the nurse should first divide the total daily dose of tetracycline by the number of doses per day. This gives the dose per administration:
2 grams / 4 doses = 0.5 grams per dose
Next, the nurse should convert the dose from grams to milligrams, since the available capsules are in milligrams. There are 1000 milligrams in one gram, so the nurse should multiply the dose by 1000:
0.5 grams x 1000 mg/g = 500 mg per dose
Finally, the nurse should divide the dose in milligrams by the strength of each capsule, which is 250 mg. This gives the number of capsules that the nurse should administer per dose:
500 mg / 250 mg/capsule = 2 capsules per dose
Therefore, the nurse should administer 2 capsules of tetracycline every 6 hours to the client.
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