Final answer:
Nurses can reduce the risk of GI upset from lithium by advising the patient to take the medication with food, encouraging proper hydration, and regularly monitoring lithium blood levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to nursing interventions to avoid gastrointestinal (GI) upset when administering lithium, which is a medication commonly used to treat bipolar disorder. The following are steps that nurses can take to reduce the risk of GI upset in patients taking lithium:
- Advise patients to take lithium with meals or after eating to minimize nausea and other GI symptoms.
- Ensure that patients maintain adequate hydration, as dehydration can affect lithium levels and increase the risk of toxicity and side effects, including GI upset.
- Monitor lithium blood levels regularly to ensure they remain within the therapeutic range; lithium toxicity can contribute to GI problems.
Proper education about the correct administration of lithium and close monitoring of the patient's condition and lithium levels is crucial in minimizing adverse effects. If a patient experiences instances of severe or persistent GI symptoms, it's essential to report this to the prescribing healthcare provider as it might indicate the need to adjust the dosage or reassess the medication strategy.