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.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Weekly monitoring of blood pressure and symptoms is important but does not address the specific issue of chest pain on exertion.
Choice B rationale:
Encouraging daily walking is generally a good recommendation for overall health but does not address the immediate concern of chest pain.
Choice C rationale:
Taking up to 4 nitroglycerine tablets for chest pain may provide temporary relief, but this should be done under the guidance of a healthcare provider and is not a long-term outcome.
Choice D rationale:
Recording episodes of angina and self-management for one week is a specific and appropriate outcome to monitor the client's chest pain and response to interventions.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Any history of heart disease: While a history of heart disease is important for general health, it is not the most critical factor prior to initiating sertraline. The nurse should still assess for cardiovascular conditions, but this is not the most pressing concern.
B. Familial history of mental illness: While a familial history of mental illness can inform treatment decisions, it is not the most immediate or critical piece of information before starting sertraline.
C. Current weight: Weight is generally not the primary consideration before starting sertraline. However, weight changes can occur during treatment, but this is more of a concern during the ongoing management of the medication.
D. Medication history: Sertraline, as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), can interact with other medications, especially those affecting serotonin levels (e.g., other antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, etc.). It is crucial to assess the client’s current medication history to prevent harmful drug interactions, such as serotonin syndrome. This is the most important information to gather before initiating treatment.
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