The nurse is continuing to care for the client.
The nurse is providing teaching about lithium to the client and the client's adult child.
Select the 3 statements the nurse should include.
"Blurred vision is an expected adverse effect of this medication,"
"This medication can cause weight gain."
"This medication can cause nausea and drowsiness."
"It will take at least a week before this medication reaches a therapeutic level."
"You will be placed on a low-sodium diet while taking this medication."
Correct Answer : B,C,D
A. "Blurred vision is an expected adverse effect of this medication." Blurred vision is not a common or expected adverse effect of lithium. If this occurs, it may indicate toxicity or another underlying issue and should be reported. It is not part of routine education for expected side effects.
B. "This medication can cause weight gain." This is true. Weight gain is a known long-term adverse effect of lithium therapy and should be discussed with the client and family as part of monitoring and lifestyle considerations during treatment.
C. "This medication can cause nausea and drowsiness." These are common initial side effects when starting lithium and usually subside over time. Clients should be aware of these effects so they can differentiate between expected reactions and signs of toxicity.
D. "It will take at least a week before this medication reaches a therapeutic level." Correct. Lithium takes 7–14 days to reach therapeutic plasma levels, so clients may not experience symptom relief immediately. During this period, supportive care and safety monitoring are essential.
E. "You will be placed on a low-sodium diet while taking this medication." This is incorrect. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index, and sodium levels affect lithium levels. A low-sodium diet can increase the risk of lithium toxicity, so clients should maintain a consistent sodium intake, not reduce it.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is {"A":{"answers":"C"},"B":{"answers":"B,C"},"C":{"answers":"A,C"},"D":{"answers":"B"},"E":{"answers":"C"}}
Explanation
- Pain rating: Severe, intermittent abdominal pain where the child draws their knees to the chest and then returns to normal behavior is a classic symptom of intussusception. Neither Crohn’s disease nor appendicitis typically presents with this pattern, appendicitis pain is usually constant and worsening, while Crohn’s pain is chronic and non-episodic.
- Vomiting: Vomiting in intussusception is common and often non-bilious in early stages, aligning with the child's light-colored emesis. Vomiting also occurs in appendicitis, especially in the early stages. However, it is not a prominent or early symptom of Crohn’s disease unless obstruction is present.
- Stool: The presence of blood and mucus in the stool ("currant jelly stool") is strongly associated with intussusception and may also occur in Crohn’s disease during flares due to colonic inflammation. Appendicitis does not typically cause bloody or mucoid stools, making this finding inconsistent with that diagnosis.
- Temperature: A temperature of 37.4°C is within normal limits, appendicitis however may present with low grade fever. The absence of fever at this time limits its diagnostic value in this case.
- Abdominal findings: A distended abdomen with hypoactive bowel sounds and a palpable sausage-shaped mass in the right upper quadrant is highly indicative of intussusception. These findings are not characteristic of appendicitis, which usually involves RLQ pain, or Crohn’s, which rarely presents with a discrete palpable mass.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. "The proxy should manage legal issues for the client." Legal matters are outside the scope of a health care proxy’s role. The proxy is authorized only to make medical decisions and does not handle legal or court-related concerns on behalf of the client.
B. "The proxy can make treatment decisions if the client is under anesthesia." The health care proxy is activated when the client is temporarily or permanently incapacitated, such as during surgery under anesthesia. At that point, the proxy can make treatment decisions aligned with the client’s values and previously expressed wishes.
C. "The proxy can make financial decisions if the need arises." Financial decisions are the responsibility of a financial power of attorney, not a health care proxy. A DPAHC limits the proxy’s authority strictly to medical and treatment-related decisions.
D. "The proxy should make health care decisions for the client regardless of the client's ability to do so." The health care proxy is not active while the client is competent and able to make decisions. The proxy only assumes responsibility when the client lacks decision-making capacity due to illness, unconsciousness, or cognitive impairment.
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