Physciatric

A client receiving lithium carbonate (Lithobid) complains of loose, watery stools and difficulty walking. The nurse should expect the serum lithium level to be which?

1.7 mEq/L

When teaching a client who is being started on imipramine hydrochloride (Tofranil), when should the nurse tell the client that the medication should have the desired effects?

Desired effects do not occur for 2 to 3 weeks of administration.

A client with Alzheimer's disease became very agitated when a group of children came to sing and dance at a long-term care facility. The nurse should use which piece of information when approaching the client about this behavior?

Individuals with Alzheimer's disease have difficulty tolerating excess stimulation and changes in routine.

Which should the nurse observe with tardive dyskinesia?

Abnormal movements and involuntary movements of the mouth, tongue, and face

Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl) is used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis for a hospitalized client with a chronic psychotic disorder. The client asks the nurse why the medication is being discontinued before hospital discharge. How should the nurse respond correctly to this question?

Addictive properties are enhanced in the presence of psychotropic medications.

The nurse is caring for a client who is scheduled for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The nurse notes that an informed consent has not been obtained for the procedure. On review of the record, the nurse notes that the admission was an involuntary hospitalization. Based on this information, which determination does the nurse make regarding consent?

An informed consent needs to be obtained from the client

A client who is on lithium carbonate (Lithobid) will be discharged at the end of the week. In reinforcing a discharge teaching plan, the nurse should include which instructions?

Check with the psychiatrist before using any over-the-counter (OTC) medications or prescription medications.

what is Milieu therapy?

Client involvement in goal setting

Which data indicates to the nurse that a client may be experiencing ineffective coping following the loss of her spouse?

Constantly neglects personal grooming

A client with a psychotic disorder is being treated with haloperidol (Haldol). Which data would indicate the presence of a toxic effect of this medication?

Excessive salivation

A client admitted to the hospital gives the nurse a bottle of clomipramine (Anafranil). The nurse notes that the medication has not been taken by the client in 2 months. Which behavior observed in the client would validate noncompliance with this medication?

Frequent hand washing with hot, soapy water

A client is being treated for depression with amitriptyline hydrochloride. During the initial phases of treatment, which is the most important nursing intervention?

Getting baseline postural blood pressures before administering the medication and each time the medication is administered

Which is the best rationale for using group therapy as an accepted way of treatment of clients in the milieu?

Group therapy provides a social mechanism in which a client can relate to peers and validate thoughts and feelings in a realistic environment.

A woman is admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit with the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. A behavior therapy approach is used as part of her treatment plan. Which is the purpose of the behavior therapy approach?

Help the client identify and examine dysfunctional thoughts and beliefs.

The nurse is assigned to care for a client admitted to the hospital after sustaining an injury from a house fire. The client attempted to save a neighbor involved in the fire, but despite the client's efforts, the neighbor died. Which action should the nurse take to enable the client to work through the meaning of the crisis?

Inquiring about the client's feelings that may affect coping

A nursing student is assigned to care for a client with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Haloperidol (Haldol) is prescribed for the client, and the nursing instructor asks the student to describe the action of the medication. Which statement by the nursing student indicates an understanding of the action of this medication?

It blocks the binding of dopamine to the postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the brain.

A tricyclic antidepressant is administered to a client daily. The nurse plans to alleviate the common side effects of the medication and includes which in the plan of care?

Offer hard candy or gum periodically

The nurse is assigned to care for a client experiencing disturbed thought processes. The nurse is told that the client believes that the food is being poisoned. Which communication technique should the nurse plan to use to encourage the client to eat?

Open-ended questions and silence

A client receiving an anxiolytic medication complains that he feels very "faint" when he tries to get out of bed in the morning. The nurse explains to the client that which is a side effect of this type of medication?

Postural hypotension

The nurse notices a "paranoid stare" during a conversation with the client diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The client then begins to fidget and gets up to pace around the room. Which action by the nurse would be most beneficial?

Share the observation with the client and help the client recognize his or her feelings.

A client in the mental health unit is administered haloperidol (Haldol). What should the nurse check to determine medication effectiveness?

The client's orientation and delusional status

The nurse is assisting with the data collection on a client admitted to the psychiatric unit. After review of the data obtained, the nurse should identify which as a priority concern?

The client's report of self-destructive thoughts

A client who is taking lithium carbonate (Lithobid) is scheduled for surgery. The nurse should reinforce what information in the preoperative teaching about this medication?

The medication will be discontinued 1 to 2 days before the surgery and resumed as soon as full oral intake is allowed.

A client is admitted to a psychiatric unit for treatment of a psychotic disorder. The client is at the locked exit door and is shouting, "Let me out! There's nothing wrong with me! I don't belong here!" The nurse identifies this behavior as which?

denial

A hospitalized client is started on phenelzine sulfate (Nardil) for the treatment of depression. At lunchtime, a tray is delivered to the client. Which food item on the tray should the nurse remove?

yogurt