Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 81%
Simulated
The physician orders determination of the serum lithium level tomorrow for a client with bipolar disorder, manic phase, who has been receiving lithium 300 mg P.O. three times daily for the past 5 days. At which of the following times should the nurse plan to have the blood specimen obtained?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
Lithium levels are drawn in the morning, 12 hours after the last dose, for accurate trough levels.