Patient education on medication purpose, dosage, and side effects

Patient education on medication purpose, dosage, and side effects ( 7 Questions)

A nurse is reviewing the medication list of a client who has bipolar disorder. The client is taking lithium carbonate, haloperidol, and lorazepam. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?



Correct Answer: C

A) Incorrect. Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), such as dystonia, akathisia, and tardive dyskinesia, are caused by dopamine antagonists, such as haloperidol. However, these symptoms are not related to the combination of medications that the client is taking.

B) Incorrect. Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that results from excessive serotonin activity in the central nervous system. It is caused by serotonin-enhancing medications, such as antidepressants, opioids, and triptans. None of the medications that the client is taking have this effect.

C) Correct. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but serious condition that occurs due to dopamine blockade in the brain and peripheral tissues. It is caused by antipsychotic medications, such as haloperidol. The risk of NMS is increased when lithium carbonate is added to antipsychotic therapy, as lithium can potentiate the dopamine-blocking effect of antipsychotics.

D) Incorrect. Lithium toxicity is a condition that occurs when lithium levels exceed the therapeutic range of 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. It is caused by factors that affect lithium excretion, such as dehydration, renal impairment, drug interactions, and overdose. None of the other medications that the client is taking interact with lithium or affect its excretion.




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