A patient with bipolar disorder takes lamotrigine [Lamictal]. Which statement by the patient would prompt the nurse to hold the drug and notify the prescriber for further assessment?
a. "I get a little dizzy sometimes."
b. "I had a headache last week that lasted for about an hour."
c. "I've broken out in a rash on my chest and back."
d. "Last night I woke up twice with a bad dream."
C
Evidence of a rash in a patient taking lamotrigine requires further assessment, because this may indicate the development of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Although dizziness and headaches are side effects of lamotrigine, they are not potentially life threatening. A bad dream is not necessar-ily related to the lamotrigine.
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The nurse is caring for a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The nurse should realize that the prognosis for this patient is:
1. poor; the disease rapidly progresses and is fatal. 2. good; the disease will progress over many years but the quality of life will be good. 3. good; the disease progresses rapidly but can be halted by drug therapy. 4. excellent; the disease will progress slowly and can be controlled by medication.
A 29-year-old male with a head injury opens his eyes when you speak to him, is confused as to the time and date, and is able to move all of his extremities on command. His Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is:
A. 13. B. 10. C. 12. D. 14.
The interprofessional treatment team for a homebound patient with a history of medication nonadherence suggests that the nurse case manager make daily home visits to administer medications to the patient. In which way should the case manager respond?
1. "My job description does not include medication administration to patients in the home." 2. "My time is better spent supervising others who provide this type of direct care." 3. "My daily schedule is too full to commit this amount of time to administering medications." 4. "My role as case manager is to organize and coordinate care, not to provide direct patient care."
Family members must make emotional and personal adjustments when a loved one is hospitalized.
Answer the following statement true (T) or false (F)