What should you monitor when a patient takes lithium?

What should you monitor when a patient takes lithium?

Monitoring Lithium Levels

• Calcium levels: A serum calcium level should be checked yearly as lithium may cause hypoparathyroidism.
• Kidney tests: A BUN and creatinine (kidney function tests) should be drawn at the beginning of treatment, regularly during treatment, and if any symptoms of kidney disease become evident.

What do you tell a patient about lithium?

Make sure you know the signs that your lithium level is too high. These are blurred vision, being sick, diarrhoea, muscle weakness, drowsiness, feeling shaky, and lack of co-ordination. Contact your doctor for advice straightaway if you experience these.

What follow up is required when a patient is prescribed lithium?

Serum lithium levels should be checked between 4 to 7 days following initiation and the dose adjusted accordingly. Serum levels should be repeated after every dose change and then every week until dosage has remained constant for 4 weeks. Blood samples should be taken 12 hours after the previous dose of lithium.

What are the key nursing implementation considerations for patients receiving lithium?

Eat a normal diet with normal salt intake; maintain adequate fluid intake (at least 2.5 quarts/day). Arrange for frequent checkups, including blood tests. Keep all appointments for checkups to get the most benefits with the least toxicity. Use contraception to avoid pregnancy.

What are 5 uses of lithium?

Lithium and its compounds have several industrial applications, including heat-resistant glass and ceramics, lithium grease lubricants, flux additives for iron, steel and aluminium production, lithium batteries, and lithium-ion batteries. These uses consume more than three-quarters of lithium production.

How do you start a patient on lithium?

Initiating: The recommendation is to commence therapy with a low and divided dose and to increase this until a serum lithium level of 1.2 mmol/L is reached. Patient requires monitoring and assessment for adverse events as the dose is increased closer to the therapeutic range.

What would a nurse teach a patient about lithium?

Give with caution and daily monitoring of serum lithium levels to patients with renal or CV disease, debilitation, or dehydration or life-threatening psychiatric disorders. Give drug with food or milk or after meals.

What is the antidote for lithium?

There’s no specific antidote for lithium toxicity.

What food contains lithium?

Lithium in Food Products The main sources of Li in the diet are cereals, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, and some mineral waters [44]. It may also be found in some spices such as nutmeg, coriander seeds, or cumin; however, their share in the total supply of this element is negligible in many geographic regions [49].

Is lithium an abused drug?

Narcotic abuse is found among people who take Lithium carbonate, especially for people who are male, 40-49 old , have been taking the drug for < 1 month, also take medication Abilify, and have Drug abuse and dependence.

Does lithium show up in a drug test?

No. There is a blood test to check lithium levels and see if they are therapeutic, but a urine drug screen or dipstick test does not include lithium in it’s panel of drugs tested.

Can lithium be taken as a recreational drug?

Avoid drinking alcohol or taking illegal or recreational drugs while taking lithium. Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with lithium. You should refer to the prescribing information for lithium for a complete list of interactions.