Neurological

Question 1

What is the appropriate action expected of a nurse when a patients having seizures

Answer 1

“Time the seizure”
(the seizure is timed in case patient seizures occurs for more than 5 minutes or seizure occurs repetitively without patient gaining consciousness between the seizures which are both MEDICAL EMERGENCY)

Question 2

A situation where a patient has seizure for more than 5 minutes or seizure occurs repetitively without patient gaining consciousness between the seizures is called

Answer 2

Status Epilepticus
(this is a medical emergency

Question 3

What are the main priorities for a patient experiencing seizures

Answer 3

• time the seizure
• protect airway
• protect from injury
• loosen tight clothes
• lay them on their side

Question 4

What kind of medication should be ready to administer during an acute seizure

Answer 4

Benzodiazepines - diazepam, lorazepam

Question 5

What are some long term maintenance medications for people with seizures

Answer 5

volpraic acid, carbomezapine, phenytoin

Question 6

What is an important nursing action before administering ‘Alteplase”

Answer 6

• get patient accurate weight
• lab work (PT & INR)
• perform all invasive procedures to avoid bleeding risk (there should be 2 PIV site

Question 7

Why it is preferred to have 2 PIV sites before administering alteplase

Answer 7

in case one becomes non-patent, there is another one ready to be used to avoid bleeding

Question 8

What care level should patients receiving alteplase be on and why

Answer 8

Critical care level because patient will need frequent neuro assessments