Question

The nurse is teaching a patient and the patient's family about lithium therapy. Which instructions will the nurse include?

a.Restrict the sodium in your diet.
b.Take lithium on an empty stomach.
c.Take lithium with meals to avoid an upset stomach.
d.Lithium is a mood stabilizer that helps prevent relapse.
e.Maintain a consistent fluid intake of 1,500-3,000 mL/day.
f.You should stop taking lithium if you have excessive diarrhea, vomiting, or sweating.

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct the patient to maintain consistent sodium and fluid intake, take lithium with meals, understand that it is a mood stabilizer, and contact a healthcare provider if experiencing excessive diarrhea, vomiting, or sweating.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse will include several key instructions for lithium therapy. First, it is not necessary to restrict sodium in the diet; in fact, maintaining a consistent intake is important because lithium balance is closely related to sodium balance. Therefore, sudden changes in sodium intake can affect lithium levels. Second, taking lithium with meals can help prevent stomach upset, so it is advised to do so instead of taking it on an empty stomach. Third, lithium is indeed a mood stabilizer used to prevent relapse in conditions such as bipolar disorder. Fourth, maintaining a consistent fluid intake, specifically between 1,500 to 3,000 mL per day, helps to stabilize lithium levels and prevent toxicity. Lastly, if a patient experiences excessive diarrhea, vomiting, or sweating, which can lead to dehydration and affect lithium levels, it's essential to contact a healthcare provider as these symptoms may necessitate adjusting or temporarily stopping the medication.