A client has been taking lithium for several years with good symptom control. The client presents in the emergency department with blurred vision, tinnitus, and severe diarrhea. The nurse should correlate these symptoms with which lithium level?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B (1.7 mEq/L). Blurred vision, tinnitus, and severe diarrhea are symptoms of lithium toxicity. A level of 1.7 mEq/L falls within the toxic range (1.5-2.5 mEq/L). This level indicates an increased risk of toxicity symptoms. Choices A, C, and D are outside the toxic range and would not typically present with these severe symptoms. Option A is slightly elevated but not typically associated with severe symptoms. Option C is above normal but not yet toxic. Option D is significantly high and would likely present with more severe symptoms than just blurred vision, tinnitus, and diarrhea.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypokalemia. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that can lead to potassium loss, increasing the risk of hypokalemia. Digoxin toxicity is more likely to occur in the presence of hypokalemia. Hypocalcemia (A) is not directly related to these medications. Hyperkalemia (C) and hypermagnesemia (D) are unlikely with hydrochlorothiazide and digoxin use.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Frontal lobe. In schizophrenia, disorganized thinking is often linked to dysfunction in the frontal lobe. This area of the brain is responsible for cognitive functions like decision-making, problem-solving, and reasoning, which can be impaired in schizophrenia. The hippocampus (A) is involved in memory formation, not specifically related to disorganized thinking in schizophrenia. The cerebellum (C) is responsible for coordination and balance, not cognitive functions. The brainstem (D) is crucial for basic life functions like breathing and heart rate, not associated with disorganized thinking in schizophrenia.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because it acknowledges the patient's behavior, educates them on proper medication usage, and reinforces the importance of coping measures. By reviewing the medication usage and suggesting coping strategies, the nurse promotes patient education and empowerment. Choice A is incorrect as it immediately suggests changing medication without addressing the patient's misuse behavior. Choice C uses accusatory language and may lead to patient defensiveness. Choice D is not as effective as B in educating the patient on proper medication use and coping strategies.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Administration of naloxone (Narcan). Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can reverse the effects of opioids such as morphine, particularly in cases of opioid overdose leading to respiratory depression. In this scenario, the patient is showing signs of opioid toxicity, such as shallow respirations, which can progress to respiratory arrest. Administering naloxone is the priority to reverse the opioid effects and restore normal respiratory function. This intervention takes precedence over other actions such as pain assessment (choice A), intubation (choice B), or close observation for tolerance (choice D) because the patient's safety and well-being are at immediate risk due to respiratory depression.