Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 68%
Full-length
The nurse is caring for a client with a history of bipolar disorder who is prescribed lithium. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
Lithium can cause hyponatremia, and monitoring serum sodium ensures safe levels (therapeutic lithium range: 0.6ÔÇô1.2 mEq/L). Glucose (B), calcium (C), and hemoglobin (D) are not directly affected by lithium therapy.