What important intervention should be maintained when administering Lithium?

Administering lithium with meals is crucial because it helps reduce the gastrointestinal side effects commonly associated with the medication, such as nausea and vomiting. Additionally, assessing for toxicity is essential due to lithium's narrow therapeutic window. Regular monitoring of lithium levels in the blood is necessary to ensure that the drug remains within the therapeutic range, as exceeding this range can lead to toxicity, which manifests with symptoms such as tremors, confusion, and in severe cases, can cause renal failure or other serious complications. Therefore, the practice of administering lithium with meals helps mitigate side effects while also allowing healthcare providers to closely monitor for any signs of toxicity, making it an integral part of lithium therapy management.

In contrast to the other options, while fluid intake monitoring is indeed important due to lithium's effects on fluid balance and kidney function, the direct connection between administering lithium with meals and the assessment for toxicity makes this option more comprehensive as a practice intervention. Administering on an empty stomach may lead to increased side effects without providing a clear benefit, and checking for respiratory function, while relevant in specific contexts, is not routinely associated with lithium therapy.