Nursing care of a patient with bipolar disorder and lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

Bipolar disorder is one of the most common, severe and persistent mental disorders. The evaluation of all data and variables related to bipolar disorder is a difficult task, because there is no clear agreement on what should be included in this category. One of the traditional treatments for this disease is the lithium metal that is administered in the form of lithium salt. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic window and there is a significant risk of complications arising from its use, mainly neurological and renal. In the case presented, the preparation of a care plan is described for a patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder who suffered a complication with lithium treatment. To do this, it was decided to use a standardized care plan and later completedit with diagnostic, objectives and interventions to the specific needs of the patient, aimed at achieving optimal levels of independence. (C) 2014 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.