Your patient is on the medication Lithium for bipolar I disorder. What major side e昀昀ect should you monitor the patient for?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Lithium is a medication commonly used to treat bipolar disorder. One of the major side effects of lithium therapy is the risk of developing seizures, especially when the blood level of lithium becomes too high (lithium toxicity). Therefore, it is crucial to monitor patients on lithium therapy for signs of seizures, such as convulsions, loss of consciousness, or twitching. Monitoring lithium levels regularly and adjusting the dosage as needed can help reduce the risk of seizures in patients taking this medication.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Phenytoin (Dilantin) belongs to the therapeutic class of anticonvulsants. Anticonvulsants are medications primarily used to treat and prevent seizures and are commonly prescribed for patients with epilepsy. Phenytoin works by stabilizing the electrical activity in the brain to prevent abnormal brain activity that leads to seizures. It is not classified as a mood stabilizer or bronchodilator; its main purpose is to control epileptic seizures.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Sympathomimetic amines are compounds that mimic the effects of the sympathetic nervous system. Options A, C, D, and E (epinephrine, norepinephrine, levonordefrin, and phenylephrine) are all sympathomimetic amines commonly used in dentistry for their vasoconstrictive properties. Felypressin, on the other hand, is a synthetic vasopressin analog and does not have sympathomimetic properties. It is commonly used in dentistry as a local vasoconstrictor to prolong the anesthetic effect.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: In chemical antagonism, two drugs produce opposite effects on a physiological system but do not act at the same receptor site. This type of antagonism occurs when one drug chemically interacts with another drug to reduce its effects. The drugs involved in chemical antagonism do not compete for the same receptor site, unlike competitive antagonism where drugs compete for the same receptor site, or noncompetitive antagonism where drugs may act at different sites but still result in inhibition. Physiological antagonism involves two drugs that produce opposite effects but do not necessarily interact chemically. Potentiation refers to the increase in effect when two drugs are combined. Given the scenario described in the question, the phenomenon of two drugs producing opposite effects without acting at the same receptor site best aligns with chemical antagonism.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: When a patient taking high-dose aspirin for arthritis requires prednisone for an acute flare, the nurse should be aware that prednisone can increase blood glucose levels. As such, the nurse should monitor the patient for signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia, not hypoglycemia. It is essential to closely monitor the patient's blood glucose levels to prevent complications associated with high blood sugar levels, such as hyperglycemia. It is also crucial to educate the patient about the potential side effects of prednisone and instruct the patient on how to manage blood glucose levels while taking the medication.