A nurse is teaching a client who has bipolar disorder about lithium. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?
"This medication is addictive, so you will need to discontinue it in six months."
"Your provider may prescribe a diuretic if you have trouble urinating while taking lithium."
"We will monitor your lithium levels closely while you are taking this medication."
"Weight gain should be reported to your provider as an indication of lithium toxicity."
The Correct Answer is C
A. Lithium is not considered addictive in the traditional sense, and it does not need to be discontinued after six months unless clinically indicated.
B. Diuretics are generally avoided in patients taking lithium due to the risk of lithium toxicity from altered renal clearance, rather than being a routine prescription for difficulty urinating.
C. Close monitoring of lithium levels is crucial to avoid toxicity and ensure therapeutic efficacy, making this statement correct and essential for the patient’s education.
D. While weight gain can occur with lithium therapy, it is not an indicator of lithium toxicity; symptoms of toxicity include nausea, tremors, and confusion rather than weight gain.
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Explanation
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B. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that is used for different indications and is not a direct substitute for ACE inhibitors.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
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B. A sudden onset of high fever could indicate neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), which is a serious reaction to antipsychotic medications, not tardive dyskinesia.
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