Modules 1 and 2 Flashcards
What is the normal lithium level?
0.6-1.2 mEq/L
Baseline labs before initiation of lithium to ensure safety and efficacy
- Thyroid panel (TSH)
- Serum Creatinine (0.6-1.2 mg/dl) (kidneys)
- Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (10-20mg/dl) (kidneys)
- Pregnancy Test (HCG)
- ECG for clients older than 50
Side effects of lithium
Endocrine: weight gain, impaired thyroid
CNS: fine hand tremors, fatigue, mental cloudiness, headaches, coarse hand tremors with toxicity, nystagmus
Dermatological: Maculopaular rash, pruritus, acne
GI: n/v/d, cramps GI upset, anorexia
Renal: polyuria with polydipsia, diabetes insipidus, edema, microscopic tubular changes
Cardiac: T wave inversions, dysrythmias
Hematological: leukocytosis
Name some drugs reduce renal clearance that may increase serum concentrations of lithium
NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Indocin)
Thiazides (hydrochlorothiazide)
ACE inhibitors (lisinopril)
What are signs of lithium toxicity
severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, confusion, convulsions, drowsiness, blurred vision, slurred speech, muscle weakness, heart palpitations, coarse hand tremors, and unsteadiness while standing or walking (ataxia)
If you have a patient that you suspect may have lithium toxicity, what would you do?
D/C LITHIUM AND CHECK SERUM LITHIUM LEVELS
What is a dangerous side effect that can occur with MAOIs?
hypertensive crisis if taken with foods containing tyramine, a dietary precursor to norepinephrine
What medications should you NOT take while on an MAOI?
Meperidine
Stimulants and other sympathomimetics
Decongestants
TCAs
Atypical Antipsychotics
St. John’s wort
L-tryptophan
Asthma medication
What are symptoms to watch for in a hypertensive crisis?
- Sudden, explosive-like headache, usually in the
occipital region - Elevated blood pressure
- Facial flushing
- Palpitations
- Pupillary dilation
- Diaphoresis
- Fever
How should you treat a hypertensive crisis?
- Discontinue the MAOI.
- Give phentolamine
- Stabilize fever
Teratogenic risks of Benzodiazepines:
Floppy baby syndrome, cleft palate
Teratogenic risks of Carbamazepine (Tegretol):
Neural tube defects
Teratogenic risks of Lithium (Eskalith):
Epstein anomaly
Teratogenic risks of Divalproex sodium (Depakote):
Neural tube defects, specifically spina bifida,
atrial septal defect, cleft palate, and possible long-term developmental deficits
What anxiolytic is safe in pregnancy?
Buspar
What SSRI is safe in pregnancay?
zoloft
Black Box warning for Lamotrigine (lamictal) - (anticonvulsant used as mood stabilizer)
Steven Johnson Syndrome
What mood stabilizer is safe in pregnancy?
lamictal
Black box warning for Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia
Black box warning for Valproic acid/divalproex sodium (anticonvulsant used as mood stabilizer)
hepatotoxicity and pancreatitis
What are baseline labs you should order before initiating carbamazepine or valproic acid?
CBC
LFTs
How long does it take to see a response with lithium or an anticonvulsant?
1-2 weeks
Signs and symptoms of Steven Johnson Syndrome
* Fever (not included in book)
* Sore throat
* Facial swelling
* Tongue swelling
* Rash
* Skin sloughing
* Prodromal headache, malaise, arthralgia (joint stiffness), and painful mucous membranes may occur before rash occurs
What are some s/s of aplastic anemia?
pallor, fatigue, headache, fever, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, skin rash, shortness of breath