Exam 2

Question 1

what are the treatment challenges for mood stabilizers?

Answer 1

treating “above” and “below”
medication adherence
self medication

Question 2

why is it bipolar hard to treat?

Answer 2

because you have to do two different things.

above and below medication

Question 3

which is harder to treat, bipolar or depression?

Answer 3

bipolar

Question 4

why would a manic experience medication adherence ?

Answer 4

a manic doesn’t think they need the medication

Question 5

what is self medication and why would someone who has bipolar depression experience self medication?

Answer 5

because they love the “ high” and they don’t want to come down from it . They take cocaine ( stimulant)

Question 6

Three medications used to treat ( bipolar disorder) mania

Answer 6

lithium
antiepileptic medication
atypical antipsychotics

Question 7

benefits of lithium?

Answer 7

Highly effective ( gold standard)
treats from above and below
lowers suicide risk

Question 8

what are the three antiepileptic medications that has research support ?

Answer 8

valproic acid ( Depakote)
Iamotrigine ( lamictal)
carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Question 9

What’s the problem with lithium? how should you check for toxicity

Answer 9

Narrow therapeutic index

draw labs

Question 10

What effects lithium?

Answer 10

( pharmacokinetics)
Absorption- vomiting
distribution
metabolism- taking another drug that has the same CYP enzyme
excretion- kidney issues

Question 11

Normal side effects of lithium

Answer 11

MILD nauseas, diarrhea
FINE hand tremors
polyuria & polydipsia
weight gain

Question 12

Early signs of lithium toxicity

Answer 12

A-taxia
C- oarse hand tremors
N- ausea, vomiting, diarrhea
E- ar ringing ( tinnitus)

Question 13

what should the client know?

Answer 13

take food with medication to prevent GI upset
maintain adequate fluid and salt intake
avoid strenuous exercise
know the signs of toxicity * what are they?*

Question 14

if you see a client showing signs of Ataxia, Corse hand tremors, Nausea ( vomiting & diarrhea), and Ear ringing ( tinnitus) while on lithium what should you do?

Answer 14

HOLD MEDICATION AND CONTACT THE PRESCRIBER

Question 15

When shouldn’t you contact the prescriber if you know that your client is taking lithium

Answer 15

fine hand tremors, mild nausea and diarrhea, weight gain, and excessive urination and thirst

Question 16

low sodium levels and water loss leads to?

Answer 16

lithium toxicity

Question 17

if a client is Vomiting and on lithium, what does this indicate?

Answer 17

lithium toxicity

Question 18

what can a nurse consider administrating if a client is using lithium and having mild hand tremors

Answer 18

a beta- adrenergic blocker

-lol

Question 19

what can a nurse consider administrating to a client who is using lithium and experiencing increased urine and thirst

Answer 19

potassium -sparing diuretic

consume 2,000-3,000 mL of fluid from beverages and food sources

Question 20

lithium levels should be?

Answer 20

less than 1.5

Question 21

what category would lithium be for pregnant women

Answer 21

D, teratogenic

Question 22

should a client using lithium avoid medications with anticholinergic effects?

Answer 22

yes

Question 23

when should a client expect lithium to take effect

Answer 23

a few weeks

7-14 days