An adult client who is admitted to the mental health unit for treatment of bipolar disorder has a slightly slurred speech pattern and an unsteady gait. Which assessment finding is most important for the nurse to report to the health care provider?
Reference Range
Blood alcohol level [Reference Range: 0 to 10.9 mmol/L (0% to 0.05%)]
Lithium [Reference Range: 0.8 to 1.2 mEq/L or 0.8 to 1.2 mmol/L]
Blood alcohol level of 0.09% (90 mmol/L)
Six hours of sleep in the past three days.
Serum lithium level of 1.6 mEq/L (1.6 mmol/L)
Weight loss of 10 pounds (4.5 kg) in past month.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A: Blood alcohol level of 0.09% (90 mmol/L) is not the most important finding for the nurse to report, as this is within the reference range and does not indicate alcohol intoxication or withdrawal, which can affect the client's mental status and mood stability. This is a distractor choice.
Choice B: Six hours of sleep in the past three days is not the most important finding for the nurse to report, as this is a common symptom of bipolar disorder during manic episodes and does not require immediate intervention by the health care provider. This is another distractor choice.
Choice C: Serum lithium level of 1.6 mEq/L (1.6 mmol/L) is the most important finding for the nurse to report, as this indicates lithium toxicity, which can cause neurological and renal impairment and potentially fatal complications such as seizures, coma, and cardiac dysrhythmias. Therefore, this is the correct choice.
Choice D: Weight loss of 10 pounds (4.5 kg) in past month is not the most important finding for the nurse to report, as this may be related to decreased appetite or increased activity during manic episodes and does not pose an immediate threat to the client's health or safety. This is another distractor choice.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A: Which medication works best for you? This is not the most important question, as it does not address the current status or risk of the client. The medication history is a part of the assessment, but it does not help identify the content or impact of the hallucinations.
Choice B: When do you hear voices? This is not the most important question, as it does not address the current status or risk of the client. The frequency and timing of the hallucinations are a part of the assessment, but they do not help identify the content or impact of the hallucinations.
Choice C: How do you cope with the voices? This is not the most important question, as it does not address the current status or risk of the client. The coping strategies are a part of the assessment, but they do not help identify the content or impact of the hallucinations.
Choice D: What are the voices saying? This is the most important question, as it addresses the current status and risk of the client. The content and impact of the hallucinations are a part of the assessment, as they can help identify if the client is experiencing command hallucinations, which may instruct them to harm themselves or others.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice B reason: Reviewing the hemoglobin to determine hemorrhage is an important action, but not the first one. The nurse should first identify and correct the cause of bleeding, such as bladder distension or uterine atony, before checking for blood loss and anemia.
Choice C reason: Massaging the uterus to decrease atony is not indicated in this case, because the uterus is already firm. Massaging a firm uterus can cause overstimulation and pain.
Choice D reason: Increasing intravenous infusion is not the first action, because it may worsen bleeding by increasing blood pressure and diluting clotting factors. The nurse should first assess and manage bleeding before administering fluids or blood products as prescribed.
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