A patient's serum lithium level is reported as 1.9 mEq/L. The ...

[MGLQZ]

A patient's serum lithium level is reported as 1.9 mEq/L. The nurse should immediately:
 
  a. Restrict sodium and fluid intake.
  b. Assess for signs and symptoms of toxicity.
  c. Seek to have the patient transferred to ICU.
  d. Notify the patient's physician immediately.

Question 2

To evaluate outcomes for a patient with schizophrenia receiving typical antipsychotic drug therapy, the nurse would look for improvement in:
 
  a. Affective mobility
  b. Positive symptoms
  c. Self-care activities
  d. Cognitive functioning

[onowka]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
A serum lithium level this high suggests that the patient may be experiencing symptoms of lithium toxicity. Clinical assessment is essential to determine what, if any, signs and symp-toms are present. After the clinical assessment has been made, the nurse can provide the phy-sician with a complete picture. Restricting sodium and fluids would raise the serum level. Transferring may not be necessary and would require a physician's order.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Typical antipsychotic medications produce improvement in the positive symptoms of schizo-phrenia such as hallucinations and delusions. Negative symptoms and cognitive functioning tend to show less improvement.

[MGLQZ]

TYSM

[amandalm]

Excellent