A client who has received lithium for 3 weeks to control acute mania has the following symp-toms: coarse hand tremor, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy, and mild confusion. The priority nursing action should be to:
1. Administer prn Cogentin to relieve extrapyramidal symptoms
2. Provide reassurance that the symptoms are transient
3. Obtain a stat lithium level; hold lithium pending results
4. Decrease the sodium in the client's diet
ANS: 3
The symptoms the client is experiencing are consistent with moderate lithium toxicity. The nurse should hold lithium, obtain a stat lithium level, and notify the physician. 1. This is inappropriate; the symptoms are not EPS. 2. The nurse may reassure the client but cannot suggest that the symptoms will resolve over time. 4. This would worsen lithium toxicity.
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