A patient demonstrating characteristics of acute mania relapsed after discontinuing lithium. New orders are written to resume lithium twice daily and begin olanzapine (Zyprexa)
What is the rationale for the addition of olanzapine to the medication regimen? It will:
a. minimize the side effects of lithium.
b. bring hyperactivity under rapid control.
c. enhance the antimanic actions of lithium.
d. be used for long-term control of hyperactivity.
ANS: B
Manic symptoms are controlled by lithium only after a therapeutic serum level is attained. Because this takes several days to accomplish, a drug with rapid onset is necessary to reduce the hyperactivity initially. Antipsychotic drugs neither enhance lithium's antimanic activity nor minimize the side effects. Lithium will be used for long-term control.
You might also like to view...
A woman with a history of mild heart failure has just vaginally given birth to a healthy baby. What action by the nurse is most important?
A. Assess the woman for signs of heart failure. B. Facilitate an EKG. C. Insert a Foley catheter for hourly urine output assessments. D. Auscultate the woman's heart sounds.
Order: Zovirax 400 mg Available:
a. 1/2 capsule b. 4 capsules c. 1 capsule d. 2 capsules
The nurse would be most concerned about premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) that
a. are uniform in appearance. b. fall on a T wave. c. occur at a rate of four per minute. d. occur with angina.
A nurse is developing a care plan for a newly admitted psychiatric client. Which statement about nursing diagnoses is correct?
A) Nursing diagnoses are listed on Axis IV of the DSM-IV-TR multiaxial system. B) Nursing diagnoses are not as important as medical diagnoses. C) Nursing diagnoses reflect clients' responses to actual or potential problems. D) Nursing diagnoses are recognized and addressed by other health-related professions.