Overview
- Enhances serotonin and/or GABA function.
Nursing Points
General
- Most commonly used = Lithium
- Increases serotonin and decreases norepinephrine
- Used for Bipolar Disorder
Nursing Considerations
- Lithium
- Monitor therapeutic level
- 0.6-1.2 mEq/L
- Frequency per protocol
- More often after initiation
- Then monthly
- Best drawn in morning, approximately 12 hours since last dose
- Caution in Pregnancy
- Things that can cause toxicity:
- Dehydration
- ETOH
- Caffeine
- Diuretics
- Promote appropriate fluid balance
Toxicity
- Lithium toxicity
- Can be mild, moderate, or severe
- Kidneys cannot excrete it; builds up
- Usually when serum levels are 1.5 – 2 mEq/L
- Know symptoms
- N/V/D
- Weakness
- Tremor
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Interventions
- Assess patient
- Full set of VS
- EKG
- LOC
- Hold dose, notify Provider
- Obtain labs: CBC, lithium level, CMP/BMP
- Initiate suicide precautions
Cornell Note-Taking System Instructions:
- Record: During the lecture, use the note-taking column to record the lecture using telegraphic sentences.
- Questions: As soon after class as possible, formulate questions based onthe notes in the right-hand column. Writing questions helps to clarifymeanings, reveal relationships, establish continuity, and strengthenmemory. Also, the writing of questions sets up a perfect stage for exam-studying later.
- Recite: Cover the note-taking column with a sheet of paper. Then, looking at the questions or cue-words in the question and cue column only, say aloud, in your own words, the answers to the questions, facts, or ideas indicated by the cue-words.
- Reflect: Reflect on the material by asking yourself questions, for example: “What’s the significance of these facts? What principle are they based on? How can I apply them? How do they fit in with what I already know? What’s beyond them?
- Review: Spend at least ten minutes every week reviewing all your previous notes. If you do, you’ll retain a great deal for current use, as well as, for the exam.
For more information, visit www.nrsng.com/cornell
