Pharmacological and Parenteral TherapiesQuestion 961 of 2368

A client taking lithium has a serum lithium level of 2.6 mEq/L and has no symptoms. How should the nurse interpret this finding?

  1. It is within the therapeutic range for a client taking lithium
  2. It is a medical emergency even though the client has no symptoms
  3. It is acceptable as long as the client has no tremors or nausea
  4. It is low, so the dose of lithium should be increased at the next visit
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Correct answer: It is a medical emergency even though the client has no symptoms

Lithium levels above 2.5 mEq/L are a medical emergency, even if the client is asymptomatic.

Source: Nursing Health Promotion (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025), Mental Health Conditions: Mood Stabilizer – Lithium. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026