A patient has been taking lithium for 1 year, and the most recent lithium level is 0.9 mEq/L. Which statement about the laboratory result is correct?
The lithium level is too low
The lithium level is therapeutic
Lithium is not usually monitored with blood levels
The lithium level is too high
The Correct Answer is B
A. A lithium level of 0.9 mEq/L falls within the therapeutic range for lithium, so it is not too low.
B. A lithium level of 0.9 mEq/L is within the therapeutic range for lithium maintenance therapy, which typically ranges from 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Therefore, it is considered therapeutic.
C. Lithium is commonly monitored with blood levels to ensure therapeutic efficacy and to prevent toxicity.
D. A lithium level of 0.9 mEq/L is not too high; it is within the therapeutic range.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Midazolam: Benzodiazepine with rapid onset of action, often preferred for acute seizure management such as status epilepticus.
B. Carbamazepine: Not typically used for acute seizure management like status epilepticus; more commonly used for maintenance therapy in epilepsy.
C. Diazepam: Benzodiazepine also used for acute seizure management, including status epilepticus. However, midazolam is often preferred due to its faster onset and shorter duration.
D. Valproic acid: Effective for long-term seizure control but not typically used for acute seizure management such as status epilepticus.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Myoclonic seizures are characterized by sudden, brief muscle jerks or twitches. These
movements are usually more pronounced and may involve multiple muscle groups compared to the described behavior, which involves a brief pause in activity without muscle jerks.
B. Absence seizures are characterized by brief episodes of staring or blanking out, often lasting for a few seconds. During an absence seizure, the child may appear to be staring into space, unaware of their surroundings. After the seizure, the child typically resumes their previous
activity without any memory of the event.
C. Status epilepticus refers to a prolonged seizure or a series of seizures without full recovery of consciousness between seizures. This condition is a medical emergency and presents with continuous or recurrent seizures without regaining consciousness.
D. Tonic-clonic seizures involve a sequence of tonic (stiffening) and clonic (jerking) phases, often accompanied by loss of consciousness and sometimes preceded by an aura. The described behavior does not fit the pattern of a tonic-clonic seizure, which typically involves more noticeable motor activity and loss of consciousness.
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