A young adult client with a recent diagnosis of bipolar disorder takes lithium carbonate daily. The client informed the school nurse of the desire to live away from home to attend college after graduating in one month. Which information is most important for the nurse to provide the client and his family?
The client should be aware of the signs and symptoms of his illness.
The client should plan to participate in group or individual therapy while at college.
Despite the illness, the client should be able to live away from home.
The client's serum lithium levels should be routinely evaluated.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale:
While it's important for the client to be aware of the signs and symptoms of their illness, medication monitoring is a more immediate concern.
Choice B rationale:
Participating in therapy can be beneficial, but it's not the most critical information to provide in this context.
Choice C rationale:
Living away from home is possible for many individuals with bipolar disorder, but medication management is a higher priority.
Choice D rationale:
Routine monitoring of serum lithium levels is crucial to ensure therapeutic levels and prevent lithium toxicity in individuals taking lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is ["E","F","H"]
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
This order is useful to evaluate the client's electrolyte levels, renal function, and acid-base balance, as she has ERSD and missed her dialysis session. She may have hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, or uremia, which can affect her cardiac and neurological status.
Choice B rationale:
This order is helpful to assess the client's cardiac structure and function, as she has a history of CAD and HTN and may have developed heart failure or valvular disease.
Choice C rationale:
This order is beneficial to rule out any intra-abdominal causes of the client's nausea and poor appetite, such as infection, obstruction, or bleeding.
Choice D rationale:
This order is necessary to identify any possible source of infection or sepsis, as the client has been ill for 3 days and has a history of diabetes, which can impair her immune system.
Choice E rationale:
This order is important to assess the client's cardiac and pulmonary status, as she has a history of CAD and is presenting with chest discomfort and lightheadedness, which could indicate a cardiac event or pulmonary edema.
Choice F rationale:
This order is essential to monitor the client's heart rate and rhythm, as she has a history of CAD and HTN and is at risk for arrhythmias, ischemia, and infarction.
Choice G rationale:
This order is important to evaluate the client's hematological status, as she has ERSD and may have anemia, leukocytosis, or thrombocytopenia.
Choice H rationale:
This order is crucial to obtain a baseline of the client's cardiac electrical activity and to detect any signs of acute coronary syndrome, such as ST-segment elevation or depression, T wave inversion, or Q waves.
Correct Answer is {"dropdown-group-1":"B"}
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Sinus tachycardia is not a cause, but a consequence of hyperkalemia.
Choice B rationale:
The client has a history of diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and end-stage renal disease, which are all risk factors for developing hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood). She also missed her scheduled dialysis session, which could have caused a buildup of potassium in her blood. Some of the signs and symptoms of hyperkalemia include fatigue, weakness, muscle cramps, tingling sensation in arms and legs, and cardiac arrhythmias such as sinus tachycardia (a fast heart rate). The other options are not consistent with the client's data or condition.
Choice C rationale:
Hypermagnesemia can also cause muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmias, but they are less likely in this scenario since magnesium is not affected by dialysis
Choice D rationale:
Hypokalemia can also cause muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmias, but they is less likely in this scenario since potassium is usually elevated in ESRD.
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