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.

Answer and Explanation

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.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A: Conversion of the client's PPD test from negative to positive is not the most important information for the nurse to note, as this is an expected finding for a client who has been exposed to tuberculosis and does not affect the administration of isoniazid. This is a distractor choice.

Choice B: History of intravenous drug abuse is not the most important information for the nurse to note, as this is not directly related to the use of isoniazid and does not contraindicate its administration. This is another distractor choice.

Choice C: Current diagnosis of hepatitis B is the most important information for the nurse to note, as this can increase the risk of hepatotoxicity and liver damage from isoniazid, which requires close monitoring and possible dose adjustment. Therefore, this is the correct choice.

Choice D: Length of time of the exposure to tuberculosis is not the most important information for the nurse to note, as this does not influence the dosage or frequency of isoniazid and does not indicate any complication or adverse reaction. This is another distractor choice.

A. Yellow-tinged sputum B. Nausea and headache C. Watery diarrhea D. Increased fatigue

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Choice A: Yellow-tinged sputum is not a critical finding for the nurse to report, as this is a common sign of pneumonia and does not indicate an adverse reaction to meropenem. This is a distractor choice.

Choice B: Nausea and headache are not urgent findings for the nurse to report, as these are mild side effects of meropenem and can be managed with supportive measures. This is another distractor choice.

Choice C: Watery diarrhea is an important finding for the nurse to report, as this can indicate a serious complication of meropenem, such as Clostridioides difficile infection, which can cause severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and sepsis. Therefore, this is the correct choice.

Choice D: Increased fatigue is not a significant finding for the nurse to report, as this can be related to the client's underlying condition and does not suggest a problem with meropenem. This is another distractor choice.

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An adult exposed to tuberculosis is scheduled to begin prophylactic treatment with isoniazid. Which information is most important for the nurse to note before administering the initial dose?

Correct Answer is C

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