A patient taking lithium is scheduled for a serum lithium level. When should the sample generally be collected for the most reliable routine interpretation?
Correct answer: C. Just before the next scheduled dose
- A. Immediately after the dose is swallowed
- B. At the peak of the patient's nausea
- C. Just before the next scheduled dose
- D. Only after the patient exercises
Explanation
Routine lithium monitoring commonly uses a trough level collected immediately before the next dose, after the medicine has reached a steady pattern. A level taken just after dosing may be falsely high and is difficult to interpret safely.
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About Psychopharmacology
Psychopharmacology covers the actions, uses, adverse effects, and nursing responsibilities associated with antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics, sedatives, and stimulants. It includes extrapyramidal symptoms, tardive dyskinesia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, serotonin syndrome, lithium toxicity, medication adherence, and monitoring of therapeutic response.
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