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 ["A","C","D","E"]
Explanation
Choice A: Applying an allergy identification wrist band is an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this can alert other health care providers of the client's allergies and prevent adverse reactions. Therefore, this is a correct choice.
Choice B: Instructing the client to avoid medication containing milk and eggs is not an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this is not a common or relevant source of allergens for this client. This is an incorrect choice.
Choice C: Entering allergy information in the client's electronic medical record is an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this can ensure accurate and updated documentation of the client's allergies and facilitate communication among health care providers. Therefore, this is another correct choice.
Choice D: Ensuring the client's selections from her dietary menu is an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this can help avoid foods that may trigger allergic reactions or intolerance for this client. Therefore, this is another correct choice.
Choice E: Notifying the dietary department of the client's egg intolerance is an intervention that the nurse should implement, as this can help modify or substitute foods that contain eggs for this client. Therefore, this is another correct choice.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: Keeping the bed in the lowest position and initiating seizure and fall precautions is not an immediate action for the nurse to take. Seizure and fall precautions are measures that prevent injury or harm to the client in case of a seizure or a fall. Seizure and fall precautions include lowering the bed, padding the side rails, removing any objects that may cause injury, and having suction and oxygen equipment ready. However, these precautions are not specific to the client's condition and do not address the underlying cause.
Choice B reason: Placing an indwelling urinary catheter and measuring strict intake and output is not an urgent action for the nurse to take. An indwelling urinary catheter is a tube that drains urine from the bladder into a collection bag. Measuring intake and output is a way of monitoring fluid balance and kidney function. However, these interventions are not essential for the client's condition and may increase the risk of infection or trauma.
Choice C reason: Maintaining elevated positioning of the dependent joints on affected side is not a relevant action for the nurse to take. Dependent joints are joints that are below the level of the heart, such as the ankles or wrists. Elevating dependent joints can help reduce swelling or pain by improving blood flow and drainage. However, this intervention is not related to the client's condition and does not improve neurological function.
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