RN Nclex Lithium questions 2023

1. A 9-year-old child has been prescribed with lithium as a mood stabilizer. His lab results shows his lithium level of 1.5 mmol/L. The priority nursing diagnosis for this child should be: A. Activity Intolerance B. Risk for Aspiration C. Ineffective Therapeutic Regimen Management D. Disturbed Thought Process - Answer: B Children who develop lithium toxicity are prone to seizures and coma. Due to the seizures that can occur the child is at risk for aspiration during seizure. This can also occur if the child is comatose. Based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs, maintaining a paten airway is the priority nursing diagnosis. 2. A client receiving lithium therapy for the treatment of his bipolar disorder has a lithium level of 0.85 mEq/L. The appropriate nursing action is: A. Notify the physician immediately B. Observe the client for signs of toxicity C. Record the laboratory result in the client's chart D. Hold the next dose of lithium - Answer: C The client's laboratory result of lithium is within the therapeutic rage 0.4 - 1 mEq/L. 3. A nurse was giving health teaching to a client newly prescribed with lithium medication. Which of the following statement of the client indicates understanding about the medication? A. "When my mood fluctuates, I can increase the dosage of the medication" B. "I can still eat my favorite salty food" C. "I can crush an extended-release tablet, if ever it will be difficult for me to take it whole by mouth" D. "Drinking too much cranberry juice will help maintain a desirable lithium level" - Answer: B Clients under lithium therapy don't need to limit their sodium intake, instead it is recommended to keep salt intake the same as before prescription of the lithium medication. Increasing the dose of lithium without evaluating the client's lab works can cause lithium toxicity, overdose, and renal failure. Extended-releasetablet should be taken whole, it is uniquely made to release the medication slowly in the body, breaking the pill would cause the drug to be release at one time. Watermelon, cantaloupe, grapefruit juice, and cranberry juice will not therapeutically help in maintaining desirable lithium level because of its diuretic effect.