A health teaching plan for a patient taking lithium should include instructions to

A. Patients do not need to double fluid intake, just maintain adequate hydration (2–3 L/day). Drinking twice the usual amount could lead to fluid overload or dilute sodium balance. B. Lithium should never be doubled. In fact, vomiting and diarrhea increase risk of lithium toxicity, so the provider must be notified instead. C. Lithium excretion is closely tied to sodium and fluid balance. A stable diet with normal salt and adequate fluid intake helps prevent fluctuations in lithium levels and reduces risk of toxicity. D. Avoiding aged cheese, processed meats, and red wine is teaching for MAOI therapy (to prevent hypertensive crisis due to tyramine), not for lithium.