A nurse observes a client's spouse sitting alone in the waiting room crying. When approached, the spouse says, "I am really concerned about my husband. Which of the following is a therapeutic nursing response?

A. Helping the client identify positive personality traits.

While addressing self-esteem and positive personality traits is valuable for the client's overall well-being, it is not the immediate priority during the detoxification phase. Ensuring physiological safety comes first.

B. Providing for adequate hydration and rest.

Explanation: The detoxification process from alcohol can result in withdrawal symptoms that range from mild discomfort to severe medical complications. Adequate hydration and rest are essential during this phase to manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent potential complications such as dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and seizures. Maintaining the client's physiological stability is of utmost importance.

C. Educating the client about the consequences of alcohol misuse.

Providing education about the consequences of alcohol misuse is important for the client's understanding and motivation for recovery, but it's not the primary concern during the initial detoxification phase.

D. Confronting the use of denial and other defense mechanisms.

Addressing denial and defense mechanisms is important for therapy, but it might not be the immediate priority. Physiological stabilization through hydration and rest takes precedence in the detoxification phase.

Lithium is a commonly used medication for treating bipolar disorder, and therapeutic drug monitoring is crucial to ensure its effectiveness and prevent potential toxicity. Monitoring the client's lithium levels in the blood is important because lithium has a narrow therapeutic range, meaning that levels that are too low might not provide the desired therapeutic effect, while levels that are too high can lead to toxicity.

B) "This medication is addictive, so you will need to discontinue it in six months."

Lithium is not considered addictive. It's important to provide accurate information about the nature of the medication to avoid unnecessary concerns.

C) "Weight gain should be reported to your provider as an indication of lithium toxicity."

While weight gain can be a side effect of some medications, it's not a specific indicator of lithium toxicity. Lithium toxicity is characterized by a range of symptoms including tremors, confusion, nausea, vomiting, and excessive thirst, among others.

D) "Your provider may prescribe a diuretic if you have trouble urinating while taking lithium."

Diuretics are generally not recommended with lithium because they can increase the risk of lithium toxicity. Lithium can affect kidney function, and using diuretics may exacerbate this effect. The client should be advised not to use diuretics without consulting their healthcare provider.