Bipolar Disorders
Expected pharmacological action: the drug is a mood stabilizer that keeps one in balance and control of their actions. Reduces symptoms and frequency.
Complications: severe sweating, violent diarrhea, a metallic taste in the mouth, a dry mouth, feeling of being sick. It causes hallucinations, Leads to memory problems, and a lack of coordination.
Precautions: should be accompanied by a healthy diet. Give the doctor your medical history. Inform, doctor of any known allergies. (Vieta, 2016) Take a lot of water or other fluids. Expectant mothers should avoid the use of the drug. Nursing mothers cannot use the medicine since it passed in breast milk. Doses should not be doubled.
Interactions: if used with alcohol or cannabis, it causes drowsiness and dizziness. When taken with other meds such as antidepressants like ecstasy, it increases the chances of serotonin syndrome. Levels of salt in the body should not be tampered with.
Client education: the patient should read the medication guide carefully. For better understanding, ask the doctor questions where it’s not clear, even after feeling better complete the dosage unless directed otherwise. Advise patient to avoid alcohol. (Vieta, 2016) Please do not use the kitchen spoon to administer to children since it’s highly inaccurate. Take medicine at the same time every day.
Nursing interventions: monitor the lithium levels in the blood.
Medical administration: should be administered by mouth. Adults should take 3 to 4 times a day while kids should be 2 to 3 times a day. The drug should be taken with or after meals.
Evaluation of effectiveness: reduces extremes in a patient. Keeps neurons in the brain under control. Reduces irritability and nervousness. One becomes less violent and aggressive.
Therapeutic use: lithium can be used with other medications to stabilize moods.
References
Grande, I., Berk, M., Birmaher, B., & Vieta, E. (2016). Bipolar disorder. The Lancet, 387(10027), 1561-1572.
