Question 1

A parent says to the nurse,"The doctor prescribed ethosuximide (Zarontin)for my child,who has absence seizures.What does this mean?" What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should provide information about the specific medication and its purpose in treating absence seizures. Choice A is incorrect because absence seizures are a different type of seizure than grand mal. Choice C does not provide helpful information to answer the parent's question. Choice D is incorrect as ethosuximide (Zarontin) is a common medication used to treat absence seizures.

Question 2

The physician has ordered intravenous (IV)diazepam (Valium)for the patient in status epilepticus.During administration,which assessment by the nurse is most important?

Accepted Answer

The most important assessment during the administration of diazepam for status epilepticus is assessing the patient's respirations every 5 to 15 minutes. Diazepam can cause respiratory depression, particularly in patients who are already experiencing respiratory compromise from the seizure activity. Therefore, the nurse must monitor the patient's respiratory rate and depth closely to ensure that respiratory depression does not occur. Assessing the level of consciousness, pulse, and blood pressure are also important assessments, but they are not as critical as monitoring the patient's respirations.

Question 3

Which of the following adverse effects would most likely be associated with the use of phenytoin (Dilantin)?

Accepted Answer

Phenytoin can cause blood clotting abnormalities, leading to bleeding tendencies.

Question 4

The elderly patient is taking phenobarbital (Luminal)for seizure control.What is most important for the nurse to assess in the patient?

Accepted Answer

The most important assessment for a patient taking phenobarbital is respiratory function, as this medication can cause respiratory depression as a side effect. The nurse should monitor the patient's respiratory rate, depth, and effort regularly.

Question 5

The patient says to the nurse,"My doctor said I have epilepsy and need to take medicine for those seizures I had.Do I really need medicine?" What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should provide accurate information to the patient regarding the need for medication to control seizures. Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition and medication is typically required on a continual basis to prevent or minimize seizures. Option A is incorrect and stigmatizing as epilepsy is not the same as a mental illness. Option B is incorrect as medication cannot cure epilepsy, it can only control seizures. Option C is also incorrect as a ketogenic diet may be used as an adjunct therapy in some cases, but it is not a substitute for medication.

Question 6

The patient is receiving valproic acid (Depakene)for treatment of seizures.The patient has also been taking a daily 81 mg aspirin tablet prophylactically for a cardiac condition.What would the nurse be most likely to observe?

Accepted Answer

Valproic acid can interfere with the clotting factors in the blood, and when combined with aspirin or other blood-thinning medications, it can increase the risk of bleeding. Therefore, the nurse would be most likely to observe bleeding from the gums and bruising of the skin in a patient taking both valproic acid and aspirin.

Question 7

Identify the correct statement regarding seizures.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify the correct statement regarding seizures.
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Question 8

The patient is receiving Phenobarbital (Luminal)for control of seizures.The patient tells the nurse she plans to become pregnant.What is the best response of the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Phenobarbital (Luminal) is a pregnancy category D drug, which means it has been shown to have the potential to cause harm to a developing fetus. Therefore, it is contraindicated in pregnancy, and the patient should talk to her doctor about alternative options for seizure control during pregnancy. Decreasing or increasing the medication dose is not recommended without medical guidance, and suggesting a specific alternative medication like valproic acid (Depakene) is outside the scope of the nurse's practice.

Question 9

The patient has epilepsy and receives phenytoin (Dilantin).The patient has been seizure-free,and asks the nurse why he still needs blood tests when he is not having seizures.What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Phenytoin (Dilantin) has a narrow therapeutic range, meaning that the difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is small. Therefore, blood tests are necessary to monitor the drug levels and ensure that the patient remains within the safe range.

Question 10

The young child has absence seizures.The physician has prescribed valproic acid (Depakene)syrup.The nurse has completed medication education with the child's mother and determines that learning has occurred when the mother makes which statement?

Accepted Answer

Valproic acid (Depakene) should not be mixed with carbonated beverages as it may cause stomach upset and possibly decrease the effectiveness of the medication. Aspirin should not be given to a child with a seizure disorder unless specifically ordered by a physician. Clonazepam (Klonopin) should only be given with physicians approval and guidance. Valproic acid (Depakene) can be given with or without food.

Question 11

The physician has ordered intravenous phenytoin (Dilantin).The patient is also receiving 5% dextrose in water (D5W)intravenously (IV).What will the nurse plan to do before administering this medication? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The physician has ordered intravenous phenytoin (Dilantin).The...

Question 12

A low-income patient without insurance has been prescribed several different medications over several months for seizure control without any improvement.The patient indicates she has not experienced any adverse effects.At this point the nurse should

Accepted Answer

Before making any changes to medication, it is important to assess for medication compliance as the patient may not be taking the medications as directed. This can help identify any potential reasons for lack of improvement and allow for appropriate strategies to be implemented.

Question 13

The patient tells the nurse that she has been taking phenytoin (Dilantin)for 2 years now and is still having too many side effects.She wants to stop taking it.What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

It is important for the nurse to educate the patient about the potential consequences of abruptly stopping phenytoin. Withdrawal seizures can occur and can be life-threatening. The patient should be advised to speak with their healthcare provider before discontinuing any medication.

Question 14

The physician has prescribed phenytoin (Dilantin)for a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus.What does the nurse include in the plan of care for this patient?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The physician has prescribed phenytoin (Dilantin)for a...

Question 15

The patient is receiving phenobarbital (Luminal)for seizure control.The patient asks the nurse how this little pill can stop his seizures.What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Phenobarbital (Luminal) is a barbiturate that works by increasing the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity and reduces the risk of seizures. By increasing the activity of GABA, phenobarbital helps to calm down the excitability in the brain, preventing the occurrence of seizures.

Question 16

The physician has ordered intravenous (IV)phenytoin (Dilantin).The nurse does not read the drug label and administers the medication intramuscularly (IM).What is the most likely response in the patient?

Accepted Answer

Phenytoin is an irritant to tissues and can cause local tissue damage if administered outside of the vein (extravasation) or if given via the intramuscular route. Purple gluteus syndrome is a rare potential side effect of intramuscular injection of some medications, but it is not associated with phenytoin. A marked decrease in serum glucose levels is not a known adverse effect of phenytoin. Therefore, the most likely response in the patient who receives phenytoin via intramuscular injection is local tissue damage.

Question 17

A person who stops talking mid-sentence and has a blank stare for 5 seconds would most likely be experiencing

Accepted Answer

This behavior is most likely a symptom of a petit mal seizure, also known as an absence seizure. In this type of seizure, the person may suddenly stop what they are doing, stare blankly, and have little or no responsiveness for a few seconds. They may also have subtle movements such as eye blinking or lip smacking. Unlike a grand mal seizure, there is no convulsive activity or loss of consciousness. A partial seizure would involve more specific symptoms related to the part of the brain affected.

Question 18

The nurse is teaching a class for patients who have been recently diagnosed with epilepsy.The nurse determines that learning has occurred when the patients make which statements? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

Accepted Answer

A is incorrect, as stress does not directly cause epilepsy. B is correct, as head injuries can lead to epilepsy. C is incorrect, as there is no evidence linking eating disorders with epilepsy. D is correct, as brain attacks (strokes) can increase the risk for developing epilepsy. E is correct, as sometimes the cause of epilepsy cannot be determined.

Question 19

The nurse has been conducting medication education for a patient with epilepsy.What is the best outcome for this patient?

Accepted Answer

The best outcome for a patient with epilepsy who is receiving medication education is for the patient to recognize the need to continue taking the antiseizure medication indefinitely. This is because medication nonadherence can cause seizures and other complications, and discontinuing medication without medical supervision can be dangerous. The other options (B, C, and D) are not universally applicable and may only be relevant for certain patients with specific medical conditions or medication regimens.

Question 20

Vitamin D deficiency would most likely be seen in a patient with seizures who is being treated with which drug type?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Vitamin D deficiency would most likely be...

Quiz 15: Drugs for Seizures

A parent says to the nurse,"The doctor prescribed ethosuximide (Zarontin) for my child,who has absence seizures.What does this mean?" What is the best response by the nurse?

The physician has ordered intravenous (IV) diazepam (Valium) for the patient in status epilepticus.During administration,which assessment by the nurse is most important?

Which of the following adverse effects would most likely be associated with the use of phenytoin (Dilantin) ?

The elderly patient is taking phenobarbital (Luminal) for seizure control.What is most important for the nurse to assess in the patient?

The patient says to the nurse,"My doctor said I have epilepsy and need to take medicine for those seizures I had.Do I really need medicine?" What is the best response by the nurse?

The patient is receiving valproic acid (Depakene) for treatment of seizures.The patient has also been taking a daily 81 mg aspirin tablet prophylactically for a cardiac condition.What would the nurse be most likely to observe?

Identify the correct statement regarding seizures.

The patient is receiving Phenobarbital (Luminal) for control of seizures.The patient tells the nurse she plans to become pregnant.What is the best response of the nurse?

The patient has epilepsy and receives phenytoin (Dilantin) .The patient has been seizure-free,and asks the nurse why he still needs blood tests when he is not having seizures.What is the best response by the nurse?

The young child has absence seizures.The physician has prescribed valproic acid (Depakene) syrup.The nurse has completed medication education with the child's mother and determines that learning has occurred when the mother makes which statement?

The physician has ordered intravenous phenytoin (Dilantin) .The patient is also receiving 5% dextrose in water (D5W) intravenously (IV) .What will the nurse plan to do before administering this medication? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

A low-income patient without insurance has been prescribed several different medications over several months for seizure control without any improvement.The patient indicates she has not experienced any adverse effects.At this point the nurse should

The patient tells the nurse that she has been taking phenytoin (Dilantin) for 2 years now and is still having too many side effects.She wants to stop taking it.What is the best response by the nurse?

The physician has prescribed phenytoin (Dilantin) for a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus.What does the nurse include in the plan of care for this patient?

The patient is receiving phenobarbital (Luminal) for seizure control.The patient asks the nurse how this little pill can stop his seizures.What is the best response by the nurse?

The physician has ordered intravenous (IV) phenytoin (Dilantin) .The nurse does not read the drug label and administers the medication intramuscularly (IM) .What is the most likely response in the patient?

A person who stops talking mid-sentence and has a blank stare for 5 seconds would most likely be experiencing

The nurse is teaching a class for patients who have been recently diagnosed with epilepsy.The nurse determines that learning has occurred when the patients make which statements? Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

The nurse has been conducting medication education for a patient with epilepsy.What is the best outcome for this patient?

Vitamin D deficiency would most likely be seen in a patient with seizures who is being treated with which drug type?