Question

Jeremy Stewart is a 44-year-old, white married father of three who sees you for a psychiatric evaluation. Jeremy is a professor at a local college, where he teaches art. He also has a small art studio close to campus where he paints. As his psychiatric nurse practitioner, you diagnose Jeremy with bipolar I disorder.

Questions

When treating a patient for bipolar disorder, you have several medications from which to choose. You decide to start him on lithium.

1. Provide evidence showing why lithium is a good choice for the treatment of bipolar disorder.
2. Describe appropriate dosing.
3. Describe how lithium works at the synapse. Why must blood levels of lithium be monitored? When should Jeremy’s first lithium check be? Why? Discuss what happens if levels are too high or too low.
4. Describe the education you would provide Jeremy as he starts on lithium.
5. Identify one research or evidence-based practice article to support your responses and include the citation (with a link if available).

Answer 1

o lithium is a goad choice for bipolar disease | We are using lithicm as a medicine for | BD for approximately 60 yrs in which several research and designs revealed as lithium is a good choice for acute manic and for depression Appropriate dosage Acute control taking 600 mg orally for 2-3 times a day. Dosage depends up onze serum levels. And for long team control 300 mg for 3-4 times a day. © Lithium inhibits Gsk - 3 which this enzyme involves in synaptic plasticity. Lithium levels should be monitored in blood as it can determine if the drug blood concentratione is within range which will treat BD (Bipolag Disorder] · This first check should be after taking the dose. Pt should be checked after 5-7 days after starting the dose If lithium levels are low it causes vom tings, diarrhoea, confusion if high it causes dizzines Seizures, confusion, increase in urination level

shaking of limbs, nausea, diarrhea © His dosage should be taken as prescribed. Side effects by using lithium includes, weaknels, fatigue, diarrhea, thirst, frequent urination, weight again etc. Medical appointment should be attended. | And if one suffering from side effects the Imedical proffersion als should be consultedo