The nurse is teaching a mother of a young child with a newly diagnosed seizure disorder. The child has been put on valproic acid (Depakote) for control of seizures. The nurse knows that the mother does not understand the effects of valproic acid when she states:
A)"I will not use carbonated beverages to dilute his medication."
B)"I will give his medicine on an empty stomach so he will absorb it better."
C)"I will not let him chew his tablet."
D)"I will bring him to the physician office for regular blood work to check bleeding times."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Valproic acid should be taken with food to prevent gastrointestinal upset and improve absorption. Therefore, it should not be given on an empty stomach. The other options are correct: carbonated beverages can interfere with the medication's absorption, tablets should not be chewed, and regular blood work may be necessary to monitor potential side effects such as bleeding due to decreased platelet count.

The Nurse Is Teaching a Mother of a Young Child