What must be considered when preparing the teaching plan for a patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder who is being prescribed lithium therapy?
- A. Caffeine and alcohol can affect lithium levels.
- B. Lithium should be taken with meals to avoid gastrointestinal distress.
- C. Regular blood tests are required to monitor lithium levels.
- D. Lithium can cause weight gain.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: When preparing a teaching plan for a patient prescribed lithium therapy for bipolar disorder, it is crucial to emphasize the need for regular blood tests to monitor lithium levels. Monitoring levels is essential to ensure the drug's effectiveness and to manage potential side effects. While factors like caffeine and alcohol intake, taking lithium with meals, and the risk of weight gain may be relevant considerations, the primary focus should be on the necessity of regular blood tests for effective management of lithium therapy. Therefore, option C is the correct choice as it addresses a critical aspect of lithium therapy management.
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Which nursing response provides accurate information to discuss with the female patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder and her support system?
- A. Remember that alcohol and caffeine can trigger a relapse of your symptoms.
- B. Antidepressant therapy should be carefully monitored due to the risk of a manic episode in bipolar disorder.
- C. It's crucial to inform your healthcare provider promptly if you experience sleep disturbances.
- D. Are your family members prepared to play an active role in helping manage this disorder?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Choice A is the correct answer as it emphasizes the importance of avoiding triggers like alcohol and caffeine that can lead to symptom relapse in patients with bipolar disorder. Educating the patient and their support system about these triggers is essential for managing the condition effectively and preventing exacerbations of symptoms. Choice B is incorrect as it overly focuses on antidepressant therapy, which is not the primary concern related to triggers for symptom relapse. Choice C, while important, does not directly address triggers for symptom relapse in bipolar disorder. Choice D is also relevant but does not provide immediate information on managing triggers for symptom relapse.
Which of the following is an example of a mood stabilizer used to treat bipolar disorder?
- A. Fluoxetine
- B. Lithium
- C. Haloperidol
- D. Lorazepam
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium is a widely recognized mood stabilizer used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. It helps to control mood swings, prevent manic episodes, and reduce the risk of suicidal behavior in individuals with bipolar disorder. Fluoxetine is an antidepressant, Haloperidol is an antipsychotic, and Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine used for anxiety and insomnia, none of which are primary mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder.
During a mental health assessment, a patient states, 'I just don't see the point in anything anymore.' This statement is an indication of which of the following?
- A. Anxiety disorder
- B. Bipolar disorder
- C. Depression
- D. Schizophrenia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The patient's statement 'I just don't see the point in anything anymore' reflects feelings of hopelessness and a lack of purpose, which are common symptoms of depression. Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. While anxiety disorders can involve excessive worry and fear, bipolar disorder includes episodes of both depression and mania, and schizophrenia typically involves symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. Therefore, depression is the most appropriate choice based on the patient's statement.
The school staff has been alerted to the fact that an 8-year-old boy routinely playacts as a police officer 'locking up' other children on the playground to the point where the children get scared. The staff recognizes that this behavior is most likely an indication of:
- A. The need to dominate others
- B. Inventing traumatic events
- C. A need to develop close relationships
- D. A potential symptom of traumatization
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: This behavior of playacting as a police officer and 'locking up' other children to the point of causing fear may suggest that the child is displaying potential symptoms of traumatization. It could indicate that the child has experienced or witnessed traumatic events, leading to the replication of such scenarios as a coping mechanism or way to process the trauma. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because the behavior described is more indicative of a potential trauma response rather than a need to dominate others, invent traumatic events, or develop close relationships.
Which of the following medications is commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
- A. Sertraline
- B. Diazepam
- C. Methylphenidate
- D. Clozapine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Methylphenidate is the correct answer. It is a stimulant medication commonly used to treat ADHD. Methylphenidate works by increasing the activity of certain chemicals in the brain that are involved in attention and impulse control. Sertraline is an antidepressant used for depression, anxiety, and other conditions, not ADHD. Diazepam is a benzodiazepine mainly prescribed for anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures, not ADHD. Clozapine is an antipsychotic medication used for schizophrenia when other medications are ineffective, not for ADHD.