Chapter 14: Antiepileptic Drugs Flashcards
A patient is experiencing status epilepticus. The nurse prepares to give which drug of choice for the treatment of this condition?
Diazepam (Valium)
Diazepam (Valium) is considered by many to be the drug of choice for status epilepticus.
When teaching a patient about taking a newly prescribed antiepileptic drug (AED) at home, the nurse will include which instruction?
“Regular, consistent dosing is important for successful treatment.”
Consistent dosing, taken regularly at the same time of day, at the recommended dose, and with meals to reduce the common gastrointestinal adverse effects, is the key to successful management of seizures when taking AEDs. Noncompliance is the factor most likely to lead to treatment failure.
The nurse has given medication instructions to a patient receiving phenytoin (Dilantin). Which statement by the patient indicates that the patient has an adequate understanding of the instructions?
“I will need to take extra care of my teeth and gums while on this medication.”
Scrupulous dental care is necessary to prevent gingival hypertrophy during therapy with phenytoin
The nurse is reviewing antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy. Which statements about AED therapy are accurate? (Select all that apply.)
AED therapy is usually lifelong.
Consistent dosing is the key to controlling seizures.
Do not abruptly discontinue AEDs because doing so may cause rebound seizure activity.
Phenytoin (Dilantin) has a narrow therapeutic index. The nurse recognizes that this characteristic indicates which of these?
The safe and the toxic plasma levels of the drug are very close to each other
Having a “narrow therapeutic index” means that there is a small difference between safe and toxic drug levels. These drugs require monitoring of therapeutic plasma levels.
