A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who takes lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder. For which of the following findings should the nurse monitor as an adverse effect of lithium carbonate?
Thyroid enlargement
Constipation
Hyporeflexia
Elevated blood pressure
The Correct Answer is A
A. Lithium can cause hypothyroidism and goiter as adverse effects. Therefore, monitoring of thyroid function and physical examination for thyroid enlargement is necessary during lithium therapy.
B. Constipation is not a typical adverse effect of lithium carbonate. It's more commonly associated with side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, or polyuria.
C. Hyporeflexia is not commonly associated with lithium carbonate use. Lithium more commonly affects the central nervous system, leading to symptoms such as tremors, confusion, and seizures in cases of toxicity.
D. Lithium is more commonly associated with the opposite effect, lowering blood pressure rather than elevating it. It's known to have effects on sodium transport in renal tubules, leading to increased water retention and possibly hypotension.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Rh incompatibility primarily affects erythrocytes, resulting in hemolysis rather than clotting abnormalities. Therefore, transient clotting difficulties are not typically associated with this condition.
B. Rh incompatibility doesn't directly cause hypothermia in newborns. The condition primarily leads to hemolytic disease of the newborn, which can result in jaundice, anemia, and other complications, but not hypothermia.
C. Rh incompatibility leads to an increase in bilirubin levels, causing hyperbilirubinemia rather than hypobilirubinemia. This increase in bilirubin levels can lead to jaundice and potentially severe neurological complications in the newborn.
D. This is a severe complication of Rh incompatibility where the fetus experiences severe edema due to hemolytic anemia and heart failure. It results from the destruction of fetal red blood cells by maternal antibodies against Rh-positive blood cells.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Alprazolam, a benzodiazepine, typically doesn't cause hypertension. Its primary mechanism of action involves modulation of GABA receptors in the central nervous system, leading to anxiolytic effects rather than effects on blood pressure regulation.
B. There's no documented association between alprazolam use and hearing loss.
Benzodiazepines like alprazolam primarily affect the central nervous system and do not target auditory structures.
C. Sedation is a common side effect of alprazolam due to its CNS depressant properties.
Patients often experience drowsiness, fatigue, and impaired cognitive function, especially when initiating therapy or when doses are increased.
D. Alprazolam typically doesn't cause bradycardia. While it can have mild effects on heart rate, such as tachycardia, significant bradycardia is not a documented adverse effect.
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