Examkin

Soru

Zorluk: ZorPharmacological Therapies

A practical nurse (PN) is assigned to care for a client with bipolar disorder who is receiving scheduled oral lithium carbonate. The PN reviews the client's morning electronic health record and notes a serum lithium level of 2.2 mEq/L2.2 \text{ mEq/L}. The next dose of lithium is due in 30 minutes. Which of the following actions should the PN take?

  1. Withhold the scheduled medication and immediately notify the registered nurse (RN).Cevap
  2. B
    Administer the medication as prescribed and ensure the client drinks a full glass of water.
  3. C
    Reduce the administered dose by half to prevent further toxicity and document the intervention.
  4. D
    Leave the medication in its original packaging at the bedside for the client to take after eating.

Cevap

Withhold the scheduled medication and immediately notify the registered nurse (RN).
The client's serum lithium level of 2.2 mEq/L2.2 \text{ mEq/L} indicates toxicity, as the normal therapeutic range is typically 0.60.6 to 1.2 mEq/L1.2 \text{ mEq/L}. The safest and most appropriate action within the practical nurse's scope of practice is to withhold the scheduled dose to prevent further harm and immediately notify the registered nurse or healthcare provider so that the treatment plan can be medically evaluated.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Evaluate the client's laboratory results against normal therapeutic ranges.
The serum lithium level is 2.2 mEq/L2.2 \text{ mEq/L}, which is significantly above the expected therapeutic range of 0.60.6 to 1.2 mEq/L1.2 \text{ mEq/L}.
Recognizing critical laboratory values is essential before administering narrow-therapeutic-index medications.
2
Determine the appropriate nursing intervention for a toxic medication level.
The scheduled dose of lithium must be withheld to prevent further central nervous system and renal toxicity.
Administering the medication would exacerbate the existing toxicity and cause patient harm.
3
Apply the practical nurse (PN) scope of practice regarding abnormal findings.
The PN must report the critical lab value to the supervising registered nurse (RN) or healthcare provider.
The PN is responsible for gathering data and reporting significant deviations from normal to the RN for further assessment and collaborative management.

Anahtar Kavram

Lithium toxicity recognition and the practical nurse's role in withholding medication and escalating critical findings.
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Konular

Pharmacological Therapies

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