Your patient is a 22-year-old female who has increased her daily dose of lithium without her physician's knowledge. She is complaining of generalized weakness, vomiting, and diarrhea. You notice that her speech is slurred. Heart rate = 68 and irregular, respirations = 16, blood pressure = 104/70, SaO₂ = 97% on room air, and the monitor shows a sinus rhythm with PACs and PJCs. Which of the following would be most beneficial to this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is experiencing lithium toxicity which can cause a wide range of symptoms including weakness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Lithium toxicity can also cause cardiac abnormalities such as PACs and PJCs. Sodium bicarbonate is the treatment of choice for lithium toxicity as it can help to increase the elimination of lithium by alkalinizing the urine. Oxygen, magnesium sulfate, and calcium chloride would not be effective treatments for lithium toxicity.

Your Patient Is a 22-Year-Old Female Who Has Increased Her