The nurse receives a laboratory report indicating a patient's serum level is 1 mEq/L. The patient's last dose of lithium was 8 hours ago. This result is

Rationale: A. A lithium serum level between 0.6 and 1.2 mEq/L is generally considered within the therapeutic range for maintenance treatment. B. Above therapeutic limits would typically be >1.5 mEq/L, which increases toxicity risk. C. While timing of blood draw is important, an 8-hour interval is acceptable for monitoring lithium levels (usually drawn 12 hours post-dose but 8 hours is still interpretable). D. A level of 1 mEq/L is not below therapeutic limits.