A client has been taking lithium for several years with good symptom control.The client presents in the emergency department with blurred vision,tinnitus,and severe diarrhea.The nurse should correlate these symptoms with which lithium level?
A) 1.3 mEq/L
B) 1.7 mEq/L
C) 2.3 mEq/L
D) 3.7 mEq/L

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The therapeutic level of lithium carbonate is 1.0 to 1.5 mEq/L for acute mania and 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L for maintenance therapy.There is a narrow margin between the therapeutic and toxic levels.The symptoms presented in the question can be correlated with a lithium level of 1.7 mEq/L.Levels of 2.3 mEq/L and 3.7 mEq/L would produce more extreme symptoms of intensified toxicity,eventually leading to death.

A Client Has Been Taking Lithium for Several Years with Good