What symptom should be monitored in a patient receiving lithium?

Monitoring for nausea and vomiting in a patient receiving lithium is crucial because these symptoms can indicate lithium toxicity. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range, meaning that small increases in dosage can lead to serious side effects. Nausea and vomiting are often early signs of toxicity and may occur if the lithium levels in the blood exceed the therapeutic range.

In managing patients on lithium, it's vital for healthcare providers to regularly check serum lithium levels, as well as monitor for gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and vomiting. This vigilance helps ensure that patients remain within the safe therapeutic range and do not experience severe complications from toxicity, such as more significant neurological or cardiac issues.

Other symptoms such as constipation, headaches, and arrhythmias may also be relevant to patient care in a broader context but focusing on nausea and vomiting specifically addresses the risk of lithium toxicity, making it a key symptom to monitor.