, Ĭlients should take medication as directed. No specific antidote for lithium poisoning is known treatment focuses on the elimination of the medication.įine hand tremor, polyuria, and mild thirst may also persist throughout treatment. At higher levels, giddiness, ataxia, blurred vision, tinnitus, and a large output of dilute urine may be seen. Signs of early lithium toxicity include diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, muscular weakness, and lack of coordination. Clients should be advised to seek immediate emergency assistance if they experience fainting, lightheadedness, abnormal heartbeats, or shortness of breath. Lithium can cause abnormal electrocardiographic (ECG) findings and risk of sudden death. Facilities for prompt and accurate serum lithium determinations should be available before initiating therapy. īlack Box Warning: Lithium toxicity is closely related to serum lithium levels and can occur at doses close to therapeutic levels at 1.5 mEq/L. When given to a client experiencing a manic episode, lithium may produce a normalization of symptomatology within 1 to 3 weeks. Safety has not been established for children under 12 and is not recommended. Lithium can cause fetal harm in pregnant women. The drug is contraindicated in renal or cardiovascular disease, severe dehydration or sodium depletion, and to clients receiving diuretics because the risk of lithium toxicity is very high in such clients. Serum sodium levels should also be monitored for potential hyponatremia. Lithium must be closely monitored with a narrow therapeutic serum range of 0.6 to 1.2 mmol/L. Nursing Considerations Across the Lifespan Lithium is indicated in the treatment of manic episodes of bipolar disorder and as a maintenance treatment for individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Lithium alters sodium transport in nerve and muscle cells and causes a shift toward intraneuronal metabolism of catecholamines, but the specific biochemical mechanism of lithium action in mania is unknown. Lithium must be closely monitored with a narrow therapeutic range. Lithium was the first medication used to treat this disorder and is sometimes referred to as an anti-mania drug because it can help control the mania that occurs in bipolar disorder. Mood stabilizers are used to treat bipolar affective disorder.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |