Flash. Psycho. Mood stabilizers

The therapeutic serum level for lithium typically ranges between 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L.

The nurse should watch for symptoms such as tremors, diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, muscle weakness, and lack of coordination.

Advise the patient to maintain consistent sodium intake and avoid sudden significant changes in fluid intake, as these can affect lithium levels.

Monitor for signs of liver dysfunction, including jaundice, fatigue, and dark urine.

Advise the patient to stop taking lamotrigine and seek immediate medical attention, as a rash can be a sign of a potentially life-threatening reaction.

The nurse should educate them about the potential risks of birth defects and the importance of effective contraception.

The patient should take the missed dose as soon as they remember unless it's close to the time for their next dose. They should never double the dose to catch up.

Testing for the HLA-B*1502 allele might be recommended, especially in patients of Asian descent, to determine the risk of severe skin reactions.

Renal function should be monitored regularly, often every 3-6 months, to detect any potential kidney impairment.

The nurse should emphasize the importance of not abruptly discontinuing the medication and that any changes should be made under the guidance of their healthcare provider.

The nurse should advise the patient to maintain a consistent sodium intake and to avoid sudden, large decreases in sodium, as this can elevate lithium levels and lead to toxicity.

The nurse should suspect lithium toxicity and advise the patient to seek immediate medical attention. The medication might need to be withheld, and serum lithium levels should be checked.

The patient should be instructed to take the missed dose as soon as remembered unless it's close to the time of the next dose. They should never take a double dose to compensate for the missed dose.

The nurse should emphasize the importance of not abruptly discontinuing the medication and that any changes should be made under the guidance of their healthcare provider.