Answer:
The best response by the nurse would be:
3. "To determine if your body is responding as it should."
Regular blood tests are necessary for clients receiving lithium (Eskalith) because lithium is a medication that requires therapeutic drug monitoring. Blood tests are used to measure the lithium levels in the client's body. This is important because lithium has a narrow therapeutic range, meaning that there is a specific range of blood concentration within which the medication is effective and safe. Regular blood tests help healthcare providers ensure that the client's lithium levels are within the therapeutic range.
Option 1, "To detect side effects before they become a problem," is partially correct, as blood tests can help detect potential side effects or toxic levels of lithium. However, it does not fully address the purpose of blood tests in monitoring the medication's effectiveness.
Option 2, "To be sure the medication is working properly," is not as accurate as option 3. Blood tests primarily assess the client's response to the medication rather than directly measuring the medication's effectiveness.
Option 4, "To be sure you have the correct amount of medication in your system," is not the primary purpose of blood tests for clients receiving lithium. The goal is to ensure that the client's body is responding appropriately to the medication rather than focusing solely on the medication dosage.
Step-by-step explanation: