Administering The Dose Of Lithium Carbonate Essay Paper
Question
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for lithium carbonate. prior to administering the first dose, which of the following laboratory values should the nurse evaluate? A. ABG B. Total cholesterol C. Thyroid hormones D. Hemoglobin
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Step 1/2
The laboratory value that the nurse should evaluate prior to administering the first dose of lithium carbonate is
C. Thyroid hormones.
Explanation:
Bipolar disorder, a mental health illness marked by episodes of mania and despair, is largely treated with lithium as a mood stabiliser. Lithium helps people with bipolar disorder manage their symptoms and lead a more stable life by stabilising the mood and lowering the intensity and frequency of mood fluctuations. Other mental diseases, such as schizophrenia and major depressive disorder, can also benefit from the supplementary use of lithium. In addition, lithium is occasionally used off-label to treat specific medical disorders such chronic pain and cluster headaches. Lithium is known to interfere with thyroid activity and, in some people, can result in thyroid dysfunction. By lowering thyroid hormone production and release, it can result in hypothyroidism by lowering thyroid hormone levels in the blood. As a result, it’s crucial to assess the thyroid hormone levels both before and after starting lithium therapy.
Lithium can interfere with thyroid function and, in some people, result in thyroid dysfunction. Up to 20–30% of patients receiving long-term lithium therapy develop thyroid impairment due to lithium. Lithium can result in both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels), but hyperthyroidism is less frequent.
Step 2/2
A. ABG B. Total cholesterol D. Hemoglobin are not related to lithium therapy.
Explanation:
To assess whether oxygenation and ventilation are adequate in patients with respiratory or metabolic problems, an ABG is typically conducted. To determine a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease, a blood test called total cholesterol analyses the level of cholesterol in the blood. Red blood cell haemoglobin, a protein that transports oxygen throughout the body, is measured in order to identify and track a number of blood illnesses. These laboratory readings wouldn’t be the most important ones to consider prior to giving the first dosage of lithium carbonate because none of them have a direct connection to lithium medication.
Final answer
The correct answer is C. Thyroid hormones.
Thyroid hormones is the laboratory value that the nurse should assess before giving the patient their first dose of lithium carbonate Administering The Dose Of Lithium Carbonate Essay Paper