Antiseizure Drugs

Question 1

A disorder that results from abnormal electrical discharges from the cerebral neurons, characterized by a loss or disturbance of consciousness and usually involuntary, uncontrolled movements

Answer 1

Seizure

Question 2

An electrophysiologic monitoring method to record electrical activity of the brain

Answer 2

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Question 3

Of unknown cause

Answer 3

Idiopathic

Question 4

Absence of oxygen

Answer 4

Anoxia

Question 5

Formerly known as grand mal seizure

Answer 5

Tonic-clonic

Question 6

Formerly know as petit mal seizure

Answer 6

Absence

Question 7

Drugs used for epileptic seizures

Answer 7

Antiseizure drugs

Question 8

Inhibit sodium influx, stabilize cell membranes, reduce repetitive neuronal firing, and limit seizures

Answer 8

Hydantoins

Question 9

Substances that can cause developmental abnormalities in a fetus

Answer 9

Teratogenic

Question 10

Overgrowth of gums or reddened gums that bleed easily

Answer 10

Gingival hyperplasia

Question 11

Constant, involuntary, cyclical movement of the eyeball

Answer 11

Nystagmus

Question 12

A rapid succession of epileptic seizures

Answer 12

Status epilepticus

Question 13

The point at which a seizure may be induced

Answer 13

Seizure threshold

Question 14

True or False: It is ok for a patient taking seizure medications to not take their medicine at the same time every day.

Answer 14

False

Question 15

What are the three ways in which antiseizure drugs work?

Answer 15

1. Suppress sodium influx. 2. Suppress calcium influx. 3. Enhance action of GABA.

Question 16

Phenytoin is what type of seizure medication?

Answer 16

Hydantoin

Question 17

The therapeutic serum level of phenytoin is:

Answer 17

10-20 mcg/mL

Question 18

Side effects/adverse reactions to Hydantoins include:

Answer 18

Gingival hyperplasia, nystagmus, diplopia, HA, dizziness, slurred speech, alopecia, purple glove syndrome, v-fib, depression, suicidal ideation, hyperglycemia, GI distress, urine discoloration, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Question 19

True or False: Drinking alcohol while taking Phenytoin will decrease the serum level.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

True or False: Phenytoin has less teratogenic effect than Phenobarbital.

Answer 20

False

Question 21

The therapeutic range of phenobarbital is:

Answer 21

15-40 mcg/mL

Question 22

Succinimides work by:

Answer 22

Decreasing calcium influx

Question 23

Ethosuximide is typically used for which type of seizure?

Answer 23

Absence (petit mal)

Question 24

The drug of choice for status epilepticus is?

Answer 24

Diazepam

Question 25

A major adverse reaction of Valproic acid (Depakote) is?

Answer 25

Hepatotoxicity

Question 26

What medication is given to pregnant women who are taking antiseizure drugs at the end of pregnancy?

Answer 26

Vitamin K

Question 27

True or False: A febrile seizure indicates that a child is very likely to develop epilepsy.

Answer 27

False