Persistent diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which can increase the risk of lithium toxicity. Rashy pruritis is not a symptoms of lithium toxicity. Having a depressive or manic episodes is not an indication of lithium toxicity—these findings indicates that the lithium is not effective or is not at a therapeutic level.

The symptoms listed are those of lithium toxicity, and are seen when the serum level is 2 to 3 mEq/L.

Client taking lithium need to maintain a high fluid intake. Exercising outside may not be safe; photosensitivity occurs with lithium use, and activity in warm weather could increase sodium loss, predisposing the client to lithium toxicity. The client shouldn't take OTC drugs without the physician's approval.

The manic client is usually unwilling or unable to slow down enough to eat. Flight of ideas, delusions of grandeur and restlessness are associated with the manic phase.

Lithium alters sodium transport in nerve and muscle cells, slowing the speed of impulse transmission, so look for hypotonic reflexes and muscle weakness.

Lithium has no known effect on body temperature nor on the transmission of pain impulses. The drug doesn't cause lethargy. Oliguria and other signs of renal failure occur late in sever lithium toxicity.

Any time the level of sodium increases, such as with a change in dietary intake, the level of lithium will decrease.

The intake of roughage and carbohydrates in the diet isn't related to metabolism of lithium.

Reducing the number of calories the client eats don't affect the lithium level in the body.

Persistent GI upset indicates a mild-to-moderate toxic reaction.

Black tongue is an adverse reaction of mirtazapine (Remeron), not lithium. Increased lacrimation isn't an adverse effect of lithium.

Periods of disorientation don't tend to occur with the use of lithium.

Fine hand tremors are a common adverse effect in clients who take lithium.

Alopecia is not an adverse effect of lithium. Diarrhea and polyuria are side effects of lithium.

Activities that could cause sodium/water depletion should be avoided in order to prevent lithium carbonate toxicity.

Acetaminophen, rather than NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, should be used for headaches because NSAIDs interact with lithium and could cause increased blood levels of lithium. The client should make sure to take in enough sodium and increase, rather than decrease fluid intake to prevent toxicity

This plasma level is subtherapeutic and the client should be given an additional dose. Emergency resuscitation may be indicated if the client's laboratory value indicates toxicity. There is no indication that the client need supplemental fluids. There is no reason to question the laboratory results.

Diarrhea and vomiting are manifestations of Lithium toxicity. The next dose of lithium should be withheld and test is done to validate the observation.

• The manifestations are not due to drug interaction.
• Cogentin is used to manage the extrapyramidal symptom side effects of antipsychotics.
• The common side effects of Lithium are fine hand tremors, nausea, polyuria and polydipsia.

At lithium levels of 2 -2.5 mEq/L the client will experience blurred vision, muscle twitching, severe hypotension, and persistent nausea and vomiting.

With levels between 1.5 and 2 mEq/L the client experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, muscle weakness, ataxia, dizziness, slurred speech, and confusion.

At lithium levels of 2.5 to 3 mEq/L or higher, urinary and fecal incontinence occurs, as well as seizures, cardiac dysrhythmias, peripheral vascular collapse, and death.

These are the common adverse effects of lithium carbonate

There is a direct relationship between the amount of salt and the plasma levels of lithium. Lithium plasma levels increase when there is a decrease in dietary salt. Increase in dietary salt causes the opposite effect of decreasing lithium plasma. That's why it is important that the nurse monitor dietary sodium intake.

Lithium levels determine whether an effective dose of lithium is being given to maintain a therapeutic level of the drug. Lithium blood work aren't drawn for the reason of figuring out whether the drug pass through the blood brain barrier or if the liver is working properly. Taking the medication as ordered doesn't kill the requirement for blood work.

Lithium crosses placental barrier and poses the risk for developing birth defects to a fetus. To minimize any risk to the fetus, lithium should be avoided in the latter part of the first trimester if possible.

Option B is incorrect because it can help control the mother's manic symptoms with little risk to the fetus in the second and third trimester.

Option C is also incorrect because it is only true with carbamazepine (Tegretol).

The most common early signs of lithium toxicity is gastrointestinal (GI) disturbance including nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

B, C, D assessment question is unrelated to lithium toxicity.

Clients under lithium therapy don't need to limit their sodium intake, instead it is recommended to keep salt intake the same as before prescription of the lithium medication. Increasing the dose of lithium without evaluating the client's lab works can cause lithium toxicity, overdose, and renal failure. Extended-releasetablet should be taken whole, it is uniquely made to release the medication slowly in the body, breaking the pill would cause the drug to be release at one time. Watermelon, cantaloupe, grapefruit juice, and cranberry juice will not therapeutically help in maintaining desirable lithium level because of its diuretic effect.

The client's laboratory result of lithium is within the therapeutic rage 0.4 - 1 mEq/L.

Children who develop lithium toxicity are prone to seizures and coma. Due to the seizures that can occur the child is at risk for aspiration during seizure. This can also occur if the child is comatose. Based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs, maintaining a paten airway is the priority nursing diagnosis.