Question

140. A client with bipolar disorder is reluctant to take lithium (Lithane) as prescribed. The most therapeutic response by the nurse to his refusal is

A) "You need to take your medicine, this is how you get well."
B) "If you refuse your medicine, we'll just have to give you a shot."
C) "What is it about the medicine that you don't like?"
D) "I can see that you are uncomfortable right now, I'll wait until tomorrow."

Answer 1

The most therapeutic nursing response for a client with bipolar disorder hesitant to take lithium is to ask them about their specific concerns regarding the medication, fostering open communication and a patient-centered approach.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question revolves around the interaction between a nurse and a client with bipolar disorder who is hesitant to take their prescribed medication, lithium (Lithane). Among the responses provided, option C, "What is it about the medicine that you don't like?", is the most therapeutic response. This approach invites dialogue and allows the client to express specific concerns they might have about the medication, which acknowledges their feelings and can lead to a more patient-centered plan of care.

Responses like A and B can be seen as confrontational or threatening, while D may seem dismissive of the client's immediate needs. A therapeutic nurse-client relationship is built on trust, understanding, and open communication, which is best fostered by engaging the client in conversations about their treatment.