Deck 12: Drugs for Seizures

Question 1

The patient is being admitted to the labor and delivery unit. The patient informs the nurse she has had high blood pressure since week 32 of this pregnancy. Upon assessment, the nurse finds edema. The patient relates that she has an occasional headache. Before the nurse leaves the room, the patient begins to have a seizure. What pregnancy disorder is this patient experiencing?

A) HELLP
B) Pre-eclampsia
C) Eclampsia
D) Posteclampsia

Answer 1

Eclampsia

Question 2

In order to monitor the effectiveness of drug therapy in a patient with seizures, what should the pharmacist teach the patient to do? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

A) Take double doses.
B) Take medications as ordered.
C) Make up skipped doses
D) Keep a diary of seizure activity.
E) Keep a normal sleep-wake schedule

Answer 2

Make up skipped doses

Question 3

The pharmacist is teaching a patient about medications for seizures. Which items should be included in this teaching? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

A) If seizure activity continues, a different medication is added in small-dose increments while the dose of the first drug is slowly reduced.
B) The amount is gradually increased until seizure control is achieved, or until drug adverse effects prevent additional increases in dose.
C) Once a medication is selected, the patient is placed on a low initial dose.
D) Seizure medication will be stopped when the seizures have been gone for a month.
E) Seizure medications will be required for the rest of your life.

Answer 3

If seizure activity continues, a different medication is added in small-dose increments while the dose of the first drug is slowly reduced.
The amount is gradually increased until seizure control is achieved, or until drug adverse effects prevent additional increases in dose.
Once a medication is selected, the patient is placed on a low initial dose.

Question 4

The pharmacist is caring for a patient with absence seizures. Which medication would be appropriate to treat absence seizures?

A) Carbamazepine
B) Pregabalin
C) Valproic acid
D) Gabapentin

Question 5

The patient taking phenytoin asks the pharmacist what the side effects of the drug are. What should the pharmacist include in the response? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

A) Bradycardia
B) Hyperglycemia
C) Stevens-Johnson syndrome
D) Hypoglycemia
E) Tachycardia

Question 6

A patient with a history of seizures is taking phenytoin. Based on this medication prescription, what is the patient at an increased risk for developing?

A) Weight gain
B) Back pain
C) Headaches
D) Constipation

Question 7

The pharmacist is preparing a presentation about antiseizure medications. The pharmacist plans to include the general mechanisms of actions for these medications. Which items would be appropriate to include? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

A) Delaying an influx of sodium ions
B) Stimulating an influx of chloride ions, an effect associated with the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
C) Increasing the neuronal firing in the brain
D) Delaying an influx of calcium ions
E) Increasing an influx of potassium ions

Question 8

A disorder of electrical activity in the brain resulting in the occurrence of periods of unconsciousness, seizures and convulsions is called epilepsy.

Question 9

Extreme metabolic shifts may cause seizures.

Question 10

Clients with epilepsy may appear normal and asymptomatic.

Question 11

The goal of anti-seizure medication is to completely suppress neuronal activity in the brain.

Question 12

An epileptic patient may discontinue their medication at any time without side effects.

Question 13

Hydantoins, by increasing the influx of sodium ions, decrease neuronal activity and seizures.

Question 14

If the neuronal threshold is elevated, nerves cannot misfire and cause seizures.

Question 15

Explain how the different classes of drugs to treat seizures and epilepsy work.

Question 16

List the known causes of seizures.

Question 17

Explain the statement: All convulsions are seizures but not all seizures are convulsions.