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A client who is receiving lithium comes to the clinic for an evaluation. During the visit, the client reports a fine hand tremor. Which action by the nurse would be most appropriate?
- A. Immediately obtain a specimen to determine the client?s blood drug level.
- B. Suggest that the client take the medication with meals or snacks.
- C. Assist the client in minimizing exposure to stressors.
- D. Encourage the client to elevate the affected hand on a pillow.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A fine hand tremor is a common, benign side effect of lithium. Taking the medication with meals or snacks (B) can reduce gastrointestinal irritation and tremor severity. Immediate blood testing (A) is unnecessary unless toxicity is suspected, stress reduction (C) is less relevant, and elevation (D) is ineffective.
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A client with bipolar disorder has had a history of multiple episodes and states, I?m so frustrated with what?s happened because of these episodes. Which of the following would the nurse encourage to help support this client?s recovery?
- A. Codependence
- B. Hope
- C. Self-control
- D. Independent decision making
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Encouraging hope (B) fosters resilience and motivation for recovery in bipolar disorder, countering frustration. Codependence (A) is unhealthy, self-control (C) is important but less primary, and independent decision-making (D) may be impaired during episodes.
A client is brought to the emergency department by his brother. The client has a history of bipolar disorder for which he is taking divalproex. The brother reports that he watched his brother take the medication about 2 hours ago. He stated, A little while ago, he got very disoriented and agitated. The nurse suspects toxicity based on assessment of which of the following? Select all that apply.
- A. Tachypnea
- B. Bradycardia
- C. Hypotension
- D. Nystagmus
- E. Vomiting
Correct Answer: D,E
Rationale: Divalproex toxicity may present with nystagmus (D) and vomiting (E), alongside disorientation and agitation, due to neurological and gastrointestinal effects. Tachypnea (A), bradycardia (B), and hypotension (C) are less specific to valproate toxicity.
A client is to receive lithium therapy as part of the treatment plan for bipolar disorder. When reviewing the client?s medication history, which agents would alert the nurse to the possibility that a decrease in lithium dosage may be needed? Select all that apply.
- A. Lisinopril
- B. Hydrochlorothiazide
- C. Indomethacin
- D. Caffeine
- E. Aspirin
Correct Answer: B,C
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide (B) and indomethacin (C) reduce lithium excretion, increasing lithium levels and requiring potential dose reduction to avoid toxicity. Lisinopril (A), caffeine (D), and aspirin (E) have minimal impact on lithium pharmacokinetics.
A client with bipolar disorder is receiving divalproex sodium as part of the treatment plan. When monitoring the client?s blood level for this drug, which level would alert the nurse to the need to change the dosage?
- A. 30 ng/mL
- B. 55 ng/mL
- C. 75 ng/mL
- D. 115 ng/mL
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic range for divalproex sodium (valproic acid) is 50?100 µg/mL (often reported as ng/mL in some contexts). A level of 115 ng/mL (D) is above this range, indicating potential toxicity and the need for dosage reduction. Levels of 30, 55, and 75 ng/mL (A, B, C) are below or within the therapeutic range.
A nurse is developing a presentation for families who have members that have been diagnosed with bipolar disorders. When describing this condition to the group, which of the following would the nurse most likely include?
- A. As the person ages, the episodes tend to decrease over time.
- B. Environmental stressors are a key cause of these disorders.
- C. The risk for suicide is high with either depression or mania.
- D. Risk-taking behaviors are more common with a depressive episode.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Bipolar disorder carries a high suicide risk during both depressive and manic episodes (C), due to despair in depression and impulsivity in mania. Episodes often persist or worsen with age (A), stressors (B) are triggers but not primary causes, and risk-taking is more common in mania, not depression (D).