A patient complains of insomnia during his stay in the hospital. ...

[Charlie]

A patient complains of insomnia during his stay in the hospital. Which nursing diagnosis would be a top priority for this patient?
 
  a. Anxiety related to hospitalization
  b. Ineffective Coping related to hospitalization
  c. Denial related to hospitalization
  d. High Risk for Insomnia related to hospitalization

Question 2

A patient who is taking prescribed lithium carbonate is exhibiting signs of diarrhea, blurred vision, frequent urination, and an unsteady gait. Which serum lithium level would the nurse expect for this patient?
 
  a. 0 to 0.5 mEq/L
  b. 0.6 to 0.9 mEq/L
  c. 1.0 to 1.4 mEq/L
  d. 1.5 or higher mEq/L

[ky860224]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The information about the patient indicates that anxiety is an appropriate nursing diagnosis. The patient's data do not support Defensive Coping, Ineffective Denial, or Risk-Prone Health Behavior as problems for this patient.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Diarrhea, blurred vision, ataxia, and polyuria are all signs of lithium toxicity, which generally occurs at serum levels above 1.5 mEq/L. Serum levels within the normal range of 0.8 to 1.4 mEq/L are not likely to cause signs of toxicity.