Question

A nurse in a mental health clinic is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and reports that they stopped taking lithium 2 weeks ago. The nurse should recognize which of the following as an expected adverse effect that might have caused the client to stop taking the medication?

A) Weight gain
B) Lethargy
C) Hand tremors
D) Blurred vision

Answer 1

Hand tremors are a common adverse effect of lithium treatment and might have led to the client with bipolar disorder to stop taking the medication.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client who has bipolar disorder and stopped taking lithium might have done so due to a common adverse effect associated with this medication. Of the options presented, hand tremors are a recognized side effect that could lead to discontinuation of lithium treatment. While weight gain and lethargy are also possible side effects of lithium, and blurred vision can occur with various psychotropic medications, hand tremors specifically are often reported by those taking lithium and could be the most immediate and noticeable adverse effect prompting the client to stop the medication.