A nurse knows that lithium should be measured at least how many days after beginning lithium therapy and after any dosage change when?

Two weeks

1 month

5 days

1 day

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Rationale:
A. Suggesting it is unusual for the provider to continue lithium could undermine trust in the treatment plan and is inaccurate.
B. Lithium is typically continued long-term or indefinitely to prevent relapse, not just for 6 months.
C. Continuing daily lithium helps maintain mood stability and significantly reduces the risk of relapse in bipolar disorder, even when the patient feels well.
D. Stopping lithium after only 1 month of stability greatly increases the likelihood of recurrence of manic or depressive episodes.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Rationale:
A. A lithium serum level between 0.6 and 1.2 mEq/L is generally considered within the therapeutic range for maintenance treatment.
B. Above therapeutic limits would typically be >1.5 mEq/L, which increases toxicity risk.
C. While timing of blood draw is important, an 8-hour interval is acceptable for monitoring lithium levels (usually drawn 12 hours post-dose but 8 hours is still interpretable).
D. A level of 1 mEq/L is not below therapeutic limits.

A. The patient is using alcohol because she is depressed B. Alcohol ingestion is a form of self-medication C. The patient lacks the neurotransmitters to control behavior D. Anxiety may be present.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Rationale:
A. While depression may contribute to substance use, this choice makes an assumption about the patient's emotional state without adequate context.
B. Individuals with bipolar disorder often use substances like alcohol to manage or "self-medicate" their mood symptoms instead of taking prescribed medications.
C. This statement is overly simplistic and not clinically accurate; behavior is influenced by multiple factors, not just neurotransmitter levels.
D. While anxiety might coexist, this statement is vague and doesn't directly explain the pattern of substituting alcohol for prescribed medications.

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A nurse knows that lithium should be measured at least how many days after beginning lithium therapy and after any dosage change when?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse receives a laboratory report indicating a patient's serum level is 1 mEq/L. The patient's last dose of lithium was 8 hours ago. This result is

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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Which dinner menu is best suited for a patient with acute mania?

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The nurse understands that the client alternating between hypomania and mild to moderate depression is experiencing which disorder?

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