Final answer:
Benzodiazepines are used to stabilize and calm patients dealing with hyperactivity and manic symptoms until the intended mood-stabilizing effects of lithium are reached.
Step-by-step explanation:
Benzodiazepines might be administered to a client awaiting the therapeutic effects of lithium to calm hyperactivity until the lithium takes effect. This is because benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants that have sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, and anxiolytic properties. They help in reducing symptoms such as panic attacks, extreme fear, and worry, which can be prevalent in individuals experiencing manic episodes in bipolar disorder before lithium, a mood stabilizer, becomes fully effective.