A nurse is working with a patient who is taking lithium for bipolar disorder. In addition to performing regular monitoring of lithium levels, what should the nurse tell the patient to educate them about using lithium
1. "Avoid grapefruit juice."
2. "Never take the medication with food or milk."
3. "Lithium may interfere with your birth control medications."
4. "It is important to drink plenty of water and avoid overheating."
Answer: 4
Explanation: Lithium can also interfere with sodium and water regulation in the body so it is important that the patient drink plenty of water and avoid overheating. Grapefruit juice does not interact with lithium. Taking lithium with food or milk will reduce possible digestive side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Some of the other medicines used to treat bipolar disorder, including carbamazepine, interact with birth control pills, but here is no known interaction with lithium.
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