ATI Mental Health A Rationales Questions with correct answers

Why would you expect a patient who has been using cocaine to have HTN? Correct Answer - Cocaine is a stimulant that increases blood pressure. It also increases heart rate, body temperature, energy levels, and metabolism. Cocaine decreases appetite Why should the RN report a rash on a patient taking Lamotrigine? Correct Answer - Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant medication that is used as a mood stabilizer. The nurse should identify that a rash is a potentially life-threatening adverse effect of the medication and report this finding immediately. If a patient is taking clozapine and they have a WBC count of 7500/mm should this be reported? Correct Answer - Clozapine can result in agranulocytosis, a potentially fatal disorder that increases the client's risk for infection. However, a WBC count of 7,500/mm3 is within the expected reference range. A patient is taking valproate, should their platelet count of 150,000 be reported? Correct Answer - Valproate is a medication used in the treatment of bipolar disorder. The nurse should identify that decreased platelets is an adverse effect of the medication. However, a platelet count of 150,000/mm3 is within the expected reference range. A patient who is taking lithium, level is 1.2, should this be reported? Correct Answer - Lithium is a medication used for mood stabilization for clients who have bipolar disorder. The nurse should identify that the lithium toxicity can result in serious complications, including death. However, a lithium level of 1.2 mEq/L is within the therapeutic range. Therapeutic range is: 0.5-1.5