Sam, a bipolar client, is prescribed lithium to stabilize his mood. He comes into the mental health clinic to have his blood levels tested, and the level is 1.8 mEq/L. What symptoms would the nurse expect to see in this client?
A) None, this is a therapeutic blood level
B) Nausea, vomiting, and muscle weakness
C) ECG changes, coarse hand tremors, and mental confusion
D) Severe hypotension, seizures, and ataxia
Ans: C
Feedback:
ECG changes, coarse hand tremors, and mental confusion are seen with lithium levels between 1.5 and 2.0 mEq/L. Nausea, vomiting, and muscle weakness would be seen with a level of 1.5 mEq/L. Severe hypotension, seizures, and ataxia are seen with lithium levels between 2.0 and 2.5 mEq/L.
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