Question

A nurse caring for a manic patient observes that the patient has persistent gastrointestinal upset. The nurse assumes that the patient is showing advanced signs of lithium toxicity and tests the serum levels of lithium in the patient. What concentration of lithium does the nurse expect to find in the patient's blood serum?

a. 0.5 mEq/L
b. 1.8 mEq/L
c. 2.5 mEq/L
d. 3.4 mEq/L

Answer 1

The nurse expects to find a serum lithium concentration higher than the upper therapeutic limit, with 1.8 mEq/L being a plausible level for advanced signs of toxicity. Higher concentrations, like 2.5 mEq/L or more, indicate severe toxicity.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a nurse observes a manic patient with persistent gastrointestinal upset and suspects lithium toxicity, upon testing the serum levels, the nurse would expect to find higher than the normal therapeutic range of 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L.

For advanced signs of lithium toxicity, the expected concentration would likely exceed the upper therapeutic limit, suggesting that among the options, b. 1.8 mEq/L is a plausible concentration. An amount of 2.5 mEq/L or higher is considered severe toxicity, and immediate medical intervention is typically required.

Signs of lithium toxicity can vary depending on the level, but gastrointestinal upset is a common symptom in the early stages and with increasing concentrations, more severe symptoms such as tremor, confusion, and seizures can occur.