Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is collecting data from a client who is taking lithium. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as early manifestations of lithium toxicity? (Select all that apply.)
A. Incoordination
Incoordination, such as clumsiness or difficulty walking, can be an early sign of lithium toxicity. It reflects the neurological effects of elevated lithium levels on motor coordination.
B. Polyuria
Polyuria (excessive urination) is a common late symptom of lithium toxicity. Lithium interferes with the kidney's ability to concentrate urine, leading to increased urine output.
C. Nausea
Nausea is a gastrointestinal symptom that can occur in the early stages of lithium toxicity. It is often accompanied by other gastrointestinal disturbances such as vomiting and diarrhea.
D. Convulsions
Convulsions (seizures) are not typically considered early manifestations of lithium toxicity but rather indicate severe toxicity. Seizures can occur at higher levels of lithium toxicity and require immediate medical intervention.
E. Confusion
Confusion is another early sign of lithium toxicity. It reflects the impact of elevated lithium levels on the central nervous system, leading to cognitive impairment and altered mental status.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI LPN Mental Health 2023 Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
A. Incoordination, such as clumsiness or difficulty walking, can be an early sign of lithium toxicity. It reflects the neurological effects of elevated lithium levels on motor coordination.
B. Polyuria (excessive urination) is a common late symptom of lithium toxicity. Lithium interferes with the kidney's ability to concentrate urine, leading to increased urine output.
C. Nausea is a gastrointestinal symptom that can occur in the early stages of lithium toxicity. It is often accompanied by other gastrointestinal disturbances such as vomiting and diarrhea.
D. Convulsions (seizures) are not typically considered early manifestations of lithium toxicity but rather indicate severe toxicity. Seizures can occur at higher levels of lithium toxicity and require immediate medical intervention.
E. Confusion is another early sign of lithium toxicity. It reflects the impact of elevated lithium levels on the central nervous system, leading to cognitive impairment and altered mental status.
Similar Questions
A nurse is preparing to administer sertraline 50 mg PO once daily to a client who has depressive disorder. Available is sertraline oral solution 20 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.
Full Explanation
To administer the correct dose of sertraline, which is 50 mg, when the available oral solution concentration is 20 mg/mL,
Volume = Dose / Concentration.
So, for a 50 mg dose using a 20 mg/mL solution, the calculation would be 50 mg divided by 20 mg/mL, resulting in 2.5 mL.
Therefore, the nurse should administer 2.5 mL of the sertraline oral solution.
A nurse is preparing to administer duloxetine 120 mg PO once daily to a client who has generalized anxiety disorder. Available is duloxetine 30 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
Full Explanation
To administer the correct dose of duloxetine, which is 120 mg, when only 30 mg capsules are available
By dividing the total daily dose needed (120 mg) by the strength of each capsule (30 mg), we find that 4 capsules are needed to achieve the 120 mg dosage.
Therefore, the nurse should administer four 30 mg capsules of duloxetine to the client.
A nurse is preparing to administer disulfiram 375 mg PO once daily. Available is disulfiram 250 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
Full Explanation
Divide the total required dose by the dose available per tablet. 375 mg is the required dose and each tablet contains 250 mg. So, 375 mg divided by 250 mg equals 1.5.
Therefore, the nurse should administer 1.5 tablets of disulfiram.