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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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Phenazopyridine does not typically cause an increase in blood pressure; this effect is not associated with the medication.
B. While gastrointestinal upset can occur, vomiting is not a primary or expected side effect of phenazopyridine.
C. A well-known side effect of phenazopyridine is orange or reddish urine, which results from the drug's dye properties.
D. Dizziness is not a common side effect; while it can occur, it is less specific to phenazopyridine compared to the characteristic orange urine.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Daily weight monitoring is not specifically indicated for doxazosin, and significant weight loss is typically not a primary concern with this medication.
B. Doxazosin can cause first-dose hypotension, leading to dizziness; thus, the client should be advised to lie down after the initial dose to minimize this risk.
C. Increasing potassium intake is not necessary with doxazosin; there are no direct interactions that would warrant dietary changes regarding potassium.
D. Impaired taste is not a commonly reported side effect of doxazosin; this statement is misleading and not relevant to the medication's profile.