a patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium which dietary advice should the nurse include

ATI RN

ATI Mental Health Practice A

1. A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. Which dietary advice should the nurse include?

A. Avoid foods high in tyramine.
B. Maintain a consistent salt intake.
C. Increase protein intake.
D. Avoid foods high in fat.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Patients prescribed lithium should maintain a consistent salt intake. Fluctuations in salt intake can impact lithium levels, potentially leading to toxicity or reduced effectiveness of the medication. It is crucial for patients to adhere to a stable salt intake while taking lithium to ensure optimal treatment outcomes. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect. Avoiding foods high in tyramine is more relevant for patients on MAOIs, not lithium. Increasing protein intake or avoiding foods high in fat are not specific dietary recommendations for patients taking lithium.

2. The healthcare provider is providing medication education to a patient who has been prescribed lithium to stabilize mood. Which early signs and symptoms of toxicity should the healthcare provider stress to the patient? Select one that does not apply.

A. Increased attentiveness
B. Getting up at night to urinate
C. Improved vision
D. An upset stomach for no apparent reason

Correct answer: C

Rationale: Early signs of lithium toxicity include gastrointestinal upset, tremors, increased urination, and increased thirst. Improved vision is not a typical early sign of lithium toxicity and should be ruled out as a symptom to watch for.

3. Which is an example of the ego defense mechanism of regression?

A. A mother blames the teacher for her child's failure in school.
B. A teenager becomes hysterical after seeing a friend killed in a car accident.
C. A woman wants to marry a man exactly like her beloved father.
D. An adult throws a temper tantrum when he does not get his own way.

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D. Regression involves reverting to an earlier stage of development for comfort. In this case, an adult throwing a temper tantrum is regressing to a childlike behavior when faced with not getting their way, which is a form of seeking comfort associated with earlier development. Choices A, B, and C do not exemplify regression. Blaming the teacher, becoming hysterical after a traumatic event, or seeking a partner similar to a beloved father are not instances of reverting to earlier developmental stages to cope with stress or conflict.

4. Which of the following is an uncommon symptom of schizophrenia?

A. Delusions
B. Fatigue
C. Disorganized speech
D. Catatonia

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Common symptoms of schizophrenia include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and catatonia. Fatigue is not typically considered a direct symptom of schizophrenia. It is important to focus on symptoms directly related to the disorder when identifying schizophrenia.

5. Which of the following symptoms should a healthcare professional expect to assess in a client diagnosed with major depressive disorder? Select one that does not apply.

A. Loss of interest or pleasure
B. Decreased ability to concentrate
C. Significant weight loss or gain
D. Increased energy

Correct answer: D

Rationale: Symptoms of major depressive disorder include a loss of interest or pleasure, decreased ability to concentrate, significant weight loss or gain, and feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt. Increased energy is not typically associated with major depressive disorder; instead, fatigue is more common. Clients with major depressive disorder often experience a lack of energy, motivation, or enthusiasm, leading to feelings of lethargy and fatigue. Therefore, increased energy is an atypical symptom in major depressive disorder, making it the correct answer.