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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Azithromycin is an antibiotic commonly used to treat infections such as chlamydia. While it's generally well-tolerated, it can rarely cause serious side effects such as allergic reactions or severe skin reactions. Sore throat or fever may indicate such adverse effects, and patients
should be instructed to contact their healthcare provider immediately if they experience these symptoms.
B. Dark yellow or orange urine is not a typical side effect of azithromycin. It can be caused by drugs such as rifampin.
C. Taking azithromycin with an antacid is generally not necessary and may interfere with the absorption of the medication. It's usually recommended to take azithromycin on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals, unless otherwise directed by a healthcare provider.
D. Bleeding gums are not a common side effect of azithromycin. If a patient experiences unusual bleeding or bruising, they should seek medical attention, but this symptom is not specifically associated with azithromycin use.
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.

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