A patient taking lithium reports severe diarrhoea, vomiting, coarse hand tremors, and unsteady walking. Which action should the nurse take?
Correct answer: A. Withhold lithium and contact the prescriber immediately
- A. Withhold lithium and contact the prescriber immediately
- B. Give the dose with milk and reassess after one hour
- C. Encourage a low-salt diet to reduce lithium absorption
- D. Tell the patient to take an extra dose after the symptoms stop
Explanation
Severe gastrointestinal symptoms, coarse tremor, and ataxia are warning signs of lithium toxicity. The nurse should withhold the medicine, notify the prescriber urgently, and expect serum lithium, renal function, and electrolyte assessment. Dehydration and reduced sodium intake can increase lithium levels.
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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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