The nurse is assisting with medication teaching for a patient who is prescribed lithium carbonate (Eskalith)for bipolar disorder.Which instruction by the nurse is most important?

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Lithium is an antimanic medication with a very narrow therapeutic range so toxic drug levels can easily develop.Lithium levels must be drawn regularly to assess that serum levels are in the therapeutic range.C.Reporting of side effects is important,but nausea and weight gain are not life-threatening.A.The patient should not discontinue other antidepressants unless instructed to do so by the physician.B.Lithium will stabilize mood swings,and it is important to tell the patient this,but not as important as advising the patient to have regular levels checked to avoid toxicity.

The Nurse Is Assisting with Medication Teaching for a Patient