Which of the following nursing interventions should a nurse perform when caring for a female client with mood disorder who is prescribed lithium?
Instruct to resume regular activities such as driving.
Administer lithium before meals.
Withhold if serum level is less than 1.5 mEq.
Instruct to avoid breastfeeding.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Instruct to resume regular activities such as driving. It is not safe to instruct the client to resume activities like driving immediately, especially at the beginning of lithium therapy, as lithium can cause side effects that may impair the client's ability to safely perform tasks such as driving.
B. Administer lithium before meals. Lithium is typically taken with food to minimize gastrointestinal upset. Administering it before meals may increase the risk of side effects like nausea.
C. Withhold if serum level is less than 1.5 mEq. Lithium should be withheld if the serum level is above the therapeutic range (typically 0.6–1.2 mEq/L), as higher levels can lead to toxicity. Withholding lithium if the level is less than 1.5 mEq/L is incorrect and could lead to inadequate treatment.
D. Instruct to avoid breastfeeding. Lithium is excreted in breast milk and can pose a risk to the infant, so the client should be advised against breastfeeding while on lithium therapy.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Normal pessimism of the elderly: This statement downplays the seriousness of the client’s feelings. Although some elderly individuals may experience sadness, these statements suggest a deeper issue that should not be considered normal.
B. A cry for sympathy: This response dismisses the client's feelings as attention-seeking, which could lead to missing a serious issue, such as depression or suicidal ideation.
C. Normal grieving: While grief can lead to feelings of sadness, the statements indicate a broader sense of hopelessness and worthlessness, which goes beyond normal grieving.
D. Evidence of high suicide potential: The client’s statements suggest feelings of hopelessness and despair, which are red flags for suicide risk, especially in elderly clients. This requires immediate assessment and intervention.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. client's anxiety level decreased: While reducing anxiety is important, it is not the initial priority when a client is experiencing physical pain that is affecting their ability to engage in the assessment.
B. client's pain level decreased: The initial desired outcome is to address the client's immediate physical pain. Once the pain is managed, the client will likely be better able to participate in the assessment and respond to questions about their mental health.
C. assessment completed: Completing the assessment is important, but it should not be prioritized over managing the client's immediate physical pain, which is currently hindering their ability to participate.
D. client understood the importance of the assessment: The client’s understanding of the assessment’s importance is less critical than addressing their immediate physical discomfort, which is a more pressing concern in this scenario.
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