The nurse prepares to administer lithium, a mood stabilizing drug, to a patient. Which laboratory result should first be assessed?
Serum creatinine
Serum troponin I and T levels
Fasting blood glucose level
Serum lipid profile
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale: Before administering lithium, the nurse should assess serum creatinine levels. Lithium is excreted by the kidneys, and impaired renal function can lead to lithium toxicity.
Choice B rationale: Serum troponin I and T levels are markers of cardiac damage and are not directly related to lithium therapy.
Choice C rationale: Fasting blood glucose level is not specifically related to the assessment needed before administering lithium.
Choice D rationale: Serum lipid profile is not directly related to the assessment needed before administering lithium.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Taking pramipexole with food can help reduce the risk of nausea, making this statement accurate.
Choice B rationale: Hallucinations are a potential side effect of dopamine agonists, so this statement is correct.
Choice C rationale: Rising slowly can help minimize orthostatic hypotension, a common side effect of dopamine agonists, making this statement accurate.
Choice D rationale: Pramipexole and other dopamine agonists help manage symptoms but do not stop the progression of Parkinson's disease. Further education is needed on the realistic expectations of the medication.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale: Managing dry-mouth symptoms is not the greatest teaching priority for a patient prescribed varenicline.
Choice B rationale: Increasing fiber in the diet to reduce constipation is not the greatest teaching priority for a patient prescribed varenicline.
Choice C rationale: The greatest teaching priority for a patient prescribed varenicline is to report thoughts of self-harm. Varenicline is a medication used for smoking cessation, and there have been reports of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including suicidal ideation.
Choice D rationale: Teaching about the decreased pleasurable effect of nicotine is important but not the greatest priority compared to ensuring the patient's safety.
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