A nurse is providing discharge teaching to the parents of a child who has ADHD and a prescription for methylphenidate. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
- A. Administer the medication at bedtime
- B. Monitor the child’s weight frequently
- C. Give the medication with milk
- D. Discontinue the medication if insomnia occurs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Monitor the child’s weight frequently. This is important because methylphenidate, a stimulant used to treat ADHD, can potentially lead to appetite suppression and weight loss in children. Regular monitoring of the child's weight can help identify any significant changes and allow for appropriate interventions if needed.
Choice A is incorrect because administering the medication at bedtime can lead to insomnia due to its stimulant effects. Choice C is incorrect as there is no specific recommendation to give the medication with milk. Choice D is incorrect because insomnia is a common side effect of methylphenidate and does not necessarily warrant discontinuation of the medication unless severe or persistent.
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A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has depression and a new prescription for amitriptyline. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?
- A. Take this medication at bedtime
- B. Expect to see improvement within 24 hours
- C. Avoid eating foods high in tyramine
- D. Stop the medication once you feel better
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Take this medication at bedtime. Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that can cause drowsiness and sedation, so taking it at bedtime can help minimize these side effects. It also helps improve adherence to the medication regimen. Choice B is incorrect because it takes several weeks to see the full effects of amitriptyline, not within 24 hours. Choice C is incorrect because tyramine restriction is typically associated with MAOIs, not tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline. Choice D is incorrect because abruptly stopping amitriptyline can lead to withdrawal symptoms and a potential relapse of depression.
A nurse in an inpatient mental health facility is planning care for a client who has schizophrenia and is experiencing delusions. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include?
- A. Encourage the client to focus on reality-based topics
- B. Agree with the client’s delusional beliefs
- C. Discuss the delusions in detail
- D. Provide frequent reassurance about safety
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Encourage the client to focus on reality-based topics. This intervention is appropriate because it helps the client ground themselves in reality and potentially reduce the intensity of their delusions. By redirecting the client's focus to reality-based topics, the nurse can help them challenge and eventually overcome their delusions. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect. Agreeing with delusional beliefs can reinforce them, discussing delusions in detail may exacerbate them, and providing frequent reassurance about safety may not address the underlying issue of delusions.
A nurse is assessing a newly admitted client who has schizophrenia and takes thioridazine. Which of the following findings should the nurse document as an adverse effect of this medication?
- A. Anhedonia
- B. Waxy flexibility
- C. Contractions of the jaw
- D. Incongruent affect
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Contractions of the jaw. Thioridazine is an antipsychotic medication known to cause extrapyramidal side effects such as dystonia, which can manifest as contractions of the jaw. Anhedonia (A) is the inability to experience pleasure, not a side effect of thioridazine. Waxy flexibility (B) is a symptom of catatonia, not a side effect of thioridazine. Incongruent affect (D) refers to a mismatch between expression and emotion, not a side effect of thioridazine.
A nurse is reviewing laboratory findings for a client who has been taking lithium for 6 months. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?
- A. Lithium level 0.8 mEq/L
- B. Sodium 130 mEq/L
- C. Creatinine 1.5 mg/dL
- D. WBC 8,000/mm³
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Creatinine 1.5 mg/dL. This finding should be reported because an elevated creatinine level indicates impaired kidney function, which can lead to lithium toxicity. Lithium is primarily excreted by the kidneys, and impaired renal function can result in lithium accumulation in the body, increasing the risk of adverse effects. Reporting this finding promptly will allow the provider to adjust the dosage of lithium to prevent toxicity.
Choices A, B, and D are within normal ranges and do not directly indicate lithium toxicity. A lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L is within the therapeutic range (0.6-1.2 mEq/L). Sodium level of 130 mEq/L is also within normal limits. WBC count of 8,000/mm³ is normal and not directly related to lithium toxicity. Therefore, these findings do not require immediate reporting compared to the elevated creatinine level.
A nurse is assessing a client who has opioid intoxication. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
- A. Pinpoint pupils
- B. Hyperreflexia
- C. Increased respiratory rate
- D. Dilated pupils
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Pinpoint pupils. Opioid intoxication causes miosis, resulting in constricted or pinpoint pupils. This occurs due to the suppression of the sympathetic nervous system. Hyperreflexia (B) is not typically associated with opioid intoxication; it is more common in conditions like spinal cord injury. Opioids depress the respiratory system, leading to decreased respiratory rate (C), not increased. Dilated pupils (D) are more indicative of stimulant intoxication, such as amphetamines.