Final answer:
The nurse should instruct the client to maintain a consistent sodium intake in their diet, which is crucial for safe lithium therapy. Regular blood tests are necessary to monitor lithium levels, and patients should also be aware of the sodium content in their food options.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct instruction that a nurse should include when teaching a client who has bipolar disorder and a prescription for lithium is: C) "Maintain a consistent sodium intake in your diet." It is important for patients taking lithium to have a stable sodium intake because lithium is processed in the body similarly to sodium. If the sodium intake is too low, lithium retention could increase, leading to potential toxicity. On the other hand, if sodium levels are too high, it may decrease lithium levels and reduce its therapeutic effects. Patients should be encouraged to compare sodium in foods such as soup, bread, and frozen meals, opting for those with lower sodium levels, drink water instead of sugary drinks with high levels of sugar, and be attentive to overall nutrition.
It's also important to monitor lithium levels regularly with blood tests to avoid toxicity or subtherapeutic levels. Recommendations such as consuming a diet rich in tyramine, drinking caffeinated beverages, or avoiding regular blood tests are incorrect and potentially harmful.