A patient who has been on lithium for 5 days walks up the hall singing loudly and gaily greets everyone he sees. He is a little unsteady in his walker. He asks for more ice water saying he is very thirsty and complaining of insomnia
The nurse would report the observation of: a. manic behavior.
b. unsteady gait.
c. thirst.
d. insomnia.
B
The ataxic gait should be reported immediately as a sign of lithium toxicity. It is too soon in therapy for the mania to be controlled. Thirst and insomnia are expected side effects of lithium, but not toxic ones.
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A client with schizophrenia has been stabilized on long-acting haloperidol, an antipsychotic medication that is administered by injection every 3 weeks
The physician switches the medication to Seroquel, a new antipsychotic oral medication that is administered twice a day. The client complains that he cannot afford the new medication and will not be able to remember to take it. The physician replies, "I can't help that; I have to treat you the way I think is best." The client's nurse may experience a. paternalism. b. cognitive dissonance. c. nonmaleficence. d. moral distress.
The ABCs of a primary survey would be interrupted to:
a. complete the assessment record. b. manage life-threatening conditions. c. reassess the patient's temperature. d. transport the patient via airlift.
A trend in psychiatric nursing related to cost controls imposed in the managed care environment is:
a. reduced emphasis on utilization review. b. a marked increase in the use of risk managers. c. reduced use of patient and family educators to promote compliance. d. a shift from acute inpatient to community-based positions.
The client takes calcium supplements. What is the best instruction by the nurse?
1. "This drug may cause insomnia." 2. "Take your calcium with a meal." 3. "It does not matter if Vitamin D is added." 4. "Take them on an empty stomach."