Deck 14: Antiepileptic Drugs

Question 1

During the nurse's assessment,the patient describes her seizures as losing consciousness for short periods.Her friends tell her that she looks like she is daydreaming except that her eyes move back and forth.What kind of seizure is she describing?

A)Convulsion
B)Partial seizure
C)Simple seizure
D)Generalized tonic-clonic seizure

Answer 1

Generalized tonic-clonic seizure

Question 2

A patient has a 9-year history of a seizure disorder that has been managed well with phenytoin therapy.He is to receive nothing by mouth (NPO)because he has surgery in the morning.What should the nurse do about his morning dose of phenytoin?

A)Give the same dose intravenously
B)Give the morning dose with a small sip of water
C)Contact the physician for another dosage form of the medication
D)Notify the operating room that the medication has been withheld

Answer 2

Contact the physician for another dosage form of the medication

Question 3

When administering phenytoin (Dilantin)intravenously,which of the following must the nurse remember?

A)Normal saline is the only solution to be used with phenytoin.
B)Intravenous (IV)doses must be given rapidly to raise blood levels quickly.
C)The patient should be monitored closely for tachycardia and increased blood pressure.
D)Phenytoin can be combined with other solutions without fear of precipitate formation.

Answer 3

Normal saline is the only solution to be used with phenytoin.

Question 4

A patient has been taking carbamazepine (Tegretol)for several months and is worried because the physician has increased her dose twice since beginning therapy.Which of the following is the nurse's best explanation to the patient?

A)The initial dose was not sufficient to prevent seizures.
B)Autoinduction results in lower-than-expected drug concentrations.
C)Because her seizures are difficult to manage, increased doses are needed to control them.
D)Forgetting to take the medication as prescribed led to a need for increased dosage.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about antiepileptic drug (AED)therapy are true? Select all that apply.

A)AED therapy can be stopped when seizures are under control.
B)AED therapy is usually lifelong.
C)Consistent dosing is key to control of seizures.
D)A dose may be skipped if the patient is experiencing adverse effects.
E)Abrupt withdrawal from AEDs may cause rebound seizure activity.

Question 6

Which of the following is the drug of choice for the treatment of status epilepticus?

A)diazepam (Valium)
B)midazolam
C)valproic acid (Epival)
D)carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Question 7

While teaching a patient about taking his newly prescribed antiepileptic drug (AED)at home,what information should the nurse emphasize?

A)Driving will be allowed after 2 weeks of therapy.
B)If seizures recur,take a double dose of the medication.
C)Antacids can be taken with the AED to reduce gastrointestinal adverse effects.
D)Regular consistent dosing is important for successful treatment.

Question 8

A patient has been taking gabapentin (Neurontin)for several years as part of the treatment for partial seizures.His wife has called because he ran out of medication this morning and wonders whether he can go without it for a week until she can go to the drug store.Which of the following statements is true in this situation?

A)Because he is taking another antiepileptic drug,he can go a week without the gabapentin.
B)Stopping this medication abruptly may cause withdrawal seizures.
C)He should temporarily increase the dosage of his other medications.
D)He can probably stop all medication because he has been treated for several years now.

Question 9

Which antiepileptic drug allows for once-a-day dosing?

A)tiagabine (Gabitril)
B)phenobarbital
C)valproic acid (Divalproex)
D)gabapentin (Neurontin)

Question 10

Which of the following teaching tips is appropriate for the nurse to tell a patient taking topiramate (Topamax)?

A)Do not chew,crush,or break the tablet.
B)Take the medication on an empty stomach.
C)Crush the medication if needed to facilitate swallowing.
D)If adverse effects are too severe,a dose may be skipped.

Question 11

Phenytoin (Dilantin)has a narrow therapeutic index.Which of the following statements defines this characteristic?

A)The safe and toxic plasma levels are very close.
B)Phenytoin has a narrow chance of being effective.
C)No difference exists between safe and toxic plasma levels.
D)A very small dosage can result in the desired therapeutic effect.