In managing a client with bipolar disorder on lithium, which laboratory value is a priority for the nurse to report?

In the context of managing a client with bipolar disorder who is on lithium therapy, monitoring kidney function is paramount. Lithium is primarily excreted through the kidneys, and impaired renal function can lead to lithium toxicity. A serum creatinine level of 2.1 mg/dL indicates potential impairment of kidney function, which elevates the risk for lithium accumulation and subsequent toxicity.

Reporting this result is critical because alterations in kidney function can significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of lithium, making it essential for timely adjustments in treatment or the need for further medical evaluation. Ensuring that the client’s renal status is stable is vital for their safety and the effectiveness of lithium as a treatment.

Although the other laboratory values are clinically relevant, they do not pose an immediate risk to the client’s safety in the way an elevated serum creatinine level does in the context of lithium treatment.