Question

Before the nurse administers the first dose of lithium carbonate (Lithonate) to a client, she reviews information about the drug. Which statement accurately describes the metabolism and excretion of lithium?

1. It's metabolized in the liver and excreted in the feces.
2. It's metabolized and excreted by the kidneys.
3. It isn't metabolized and is excreted unchanged by the kidneys.
4. It's metabolized in the liver and excreted by the kidneys.

Answer 1

Lithium carbonate is not metabolized and is excreted unchanged by the kidneys, making kidney function monitoring essential during its administration.

Step-by-step explanation:

The metabolism and excretion of lithium carbonate (Lithonate) are important when considering its pharmacokinetics in the body. The correct statement regarding the metabolism and excretion of lithium is that it isn't metabolized and is excreted unchanged by the kidneys. This means that lithium is not broken down in the liver like many other substances. Instead, it passes through the body and is excreted by the kidneys in the same form in which it was ingested. When administering lithium, it's also essential to monitor kidney function because the kidneys are directly responsible for its excretion.