A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder has been hospitalized for 7 days and has taken lithium 600 mg three times daily. Staff members observe increased agitation, pressured speech, poor personal hygiene, hyperactivity, and bizarre clothing. What is the nurse's best intervention?

A) Educate the patient about the proper ways to perform personal hygiene and coordinate clothing.
B) Continue to monitor and document the patient's speech patterns and motor activity.
C) Ask the health care provider to prescribe an increased dose and frequency of lithium.
D) Consider the need to check the lithium level. The patient may not be swallowing medications.

Question

kevaughn Edwards · Accepted Answer

Final Answer : D, Explanation :  The patient is continuing to exhibit manic symptoms. The lithium level may be low as a result of cheeking the medication. The prescribed dose is high, so one would not expect a need for the dose to be increased.

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