What should be done if symptoms of Lithium toxicity arise?

When symptoms of Lithium toxicity occur, the appropriate action to take is to withhold the dosage and notify the nurse on-call. Lithium is a medication often used to treat bipolar disorder, and its therapeutic window is quite narrow, meaning that the difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is small. Symptoms of toxicity can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, confusion, and in extreme cases, seizures or coma.

By withholding the medication, you prevent further accumulation of lithium in the bloodstream, which can help avoid serious complications. Notifying the nurse is essential for further evaluation and intervention, as medical professionals will need to assess the severity of the toxicity and decide on appropriate treatment, which may include monitoring blood levels of lithium and providing supportive care or additional treatments as necessary.

Increasing fluid intake could potentially help in cases of mild dehydration but should not be the first response in the context of symptomatic toxicity without professional guidance. Continuing the dosage could worsen the situation by increasing toxicity, and switching to another medication might not be immediately actionable or appropriate without a doctor’s evaluation. Thus, notifying the nurse after withholding the dosage is the best course of action when faced with lithium toxicity symptoms.