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Lithium — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

Therapeutic 0.6–1.2 mEq/L

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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Pharmacological Therapies 🔖 Free to read, print, and share

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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Lithium on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Labs

Key numbers

Therapeutic: 0.6–1.2 mEq/L
Toxic > 1.5 mEq/L → hold
Narrow therapeutic window

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Signs

What to look for

Early tox: N/V, tremor, diarrhea
Severe: confusion, ataxia, seizures

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Teach

Teaching points

Steady salt + fluid intake
↓Na or dehydration → ↑lithium
Avoid NSAIDs, thiazides

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Monitor

Key numbers

Draw level 12h post-dose
Check thyroid + renal function

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Quick Tip

The therapeutic serum level is narrow (about 0.6-1.2 mEq/L); levels above 1.5 mEq/L are toxic.

📖 Related Topics

Digoxin Toxicity Heparin Therapy Warfarin Therapy Acetaminophen Poisoning in Children

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