Week 11: Chapter 25

Question 1

Which phrase best describes second-line drugs for treatment of seizures?

Answer 1

Used as an alternative drugs to treat seizures

Question 2

Which S/E are common with first-line drugs used to treat partial and generalized seizures?

Answer 2

1. Dizziness
2. Hypotension
3. Sedation
4. Nausea

Question 3

A pt is prescribed an IV dose of phenytoin (Dilantin). Which solution should be used to dilute this drug?

Answer 3

0.9% normal saline

Question 4

A pt tells you that his seizure actively has increased over the past month. What important teaching point will you stress to this pt?

Answer 4

You need to contact your prescriber whenever seizures increase or change

Question 5

A child is prescribed phenytoin (Dilantin) for a seizure d/o. What precaution should you discuss with the parents?

Answer 5

Be sure to take your child to see a dentist regularly

Question 6

Which drugs used to treat seizures decreases impulse transmission by affecting sodium channels in neurons?

Answer 6

carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Question 7

For which A/E must you watch after giving a pt phenytoin (Dilantin) {Anticonvulsant} ?

Answer 7

1. Neutropenia
2. Steven-Johnson Syndrome
3. Aplastic Anemia

Question 8

What safety intervention must you take when giving the first-line drug for seizures phenytoin (Dilantin) by the IV route?

Answer 8

Ensure that the IV solution infusing is normal saline

Question 9

A pt is taking carbamazepine (Tegretol). What must you be sure to teach the pt about this drug?

Answer 9

Wear protective clothing and strong sunscreen

Question 10

Which is an important consideration when administering first-line drugs for absence seizures to growing children ?

Answer 10

They may need dose increases

Question 11

A patient was just brought in by ambulance to the emergency department (ED) after having several seizures at home. What actions should be taken if the patient experiences status epilepticus? (select all that apply)

Answer 11

1. Protect the airway and apply oxygen
2. Establish an IV as ordered.
3. Administer diazepam (Valium) as prescribed.
4. Protect the patient from injury.

Question 12

A seizure patient is being treated with phenobarbital (Luminal). What life-threatening adverse effects are associated with the use of this drug? (select all that apply)

Answer 12

1. Laryngospasm
2. Shock
3. Neutropenia (decreased number of WBCs)
4. Serum sickness (hypersensitive reaction to the administration of a foreign serum)

Question 13

A patient with a newly diagnosed seizure disorder has recently been prescribed antiseizure medication. What comment made by the patient indicates that additional seizure management teaching is necessary?

Answer 13

“When the seizures stop, I can stop taking the medication.”

Question 14

A patient with a new diagnosis of seizures asks the nurse what medications are considered first-line drugs for partial and generalized seizures? (select all that apply)

Answer 14

1. Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
2. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
3. Valproic acid (Depakote)

Question 15

The nurse is admitting a patient who has been taking phenytoin (Dilantin). What side effects and adverse effects of phenytoin (Dilantin) could be found in a patient on the nurse’s physical assessment? (select all that apply)

Answer 15

1. Overgrowth of gum tissues
2. Severe skin rashes
3. Double vision

Question 16

A newly admitted patient has just been diagnosed with seizures and asks the nurse what can cause them. The nurse tells the patient that during what times is a person with a seizure disorder most at risk for having a seizure? (select all that apply)

Answer 16

1. Going through a divorce
2. During pregnancy
3. After pulling an “all-nighter”
4. While having the flu

Question 17

What are the most common causes of seizures in children? (select all that apply)

Answer 17

1. Fever
2. Central nervous system infections
3. Hypoxia
4. Electrolyte imbalances

Question 18

A patient with a history of seizures has just been admitted. What actions should you take if the patient experiences a tonic-clonic seizure? (select all that apply)

Answer 18

1. Protect the airway.
2. Document the length and time the seizure started.
3. Protect the patient from injury.

Question 19

A patient who is taking antiseizure medications develops GI symptoms. What would you suggest to the patient?

Answer 19

Take the drugs with food.

Question 20

A patient tells the nurse that he/she has absence seizure. The nurse knows that what occurrence is normal with this type of seizure?

Answer 20

It only lasts a few seconds.

Absence seizures (also known as petit mal seizures) are more common in children and tend to occur in families. They are brief (a few seconds) with loss of consciousness and blank staring (a child may appear to be daydreaming)

Question 21

The nurse is admitting a patient with a history of seizures who is taking phenytoin (Dilantin). The nurse knows that what factor requires patients who are taking Dilantin to see their dentist regularly?

Answer 21

Extra growth of gums

Question 22

The nurse is caring for a patient admitted with a diagnosis of seizures. The nurse knows that an “epileptic cry” is common with what type of seizure?

Answer 22

Tonic-clonic

Tonic-clonic seizures (also known as grand mal seizures) last 2 to 5 minutes, with stiffening or rigidity of the arm and leg muscles and immediate loss of consciousness. Spasm of the respiratory muscles can cause forced exhalation, sounding like a scream, called the epileptic cry

Question 23

A patient who experienced a seizure states, “I saw white floating lights before the seizure.” What occurrence is the patient referring to?

Answer 23

Aura

Question 24

The nurse is discharging a patient who has been prescribed lamotrigine (Lamictal). What does the nurse tell the patient to do in order to minimize the risk of severe rashes?

Answer 24

Increasing the dose very slowly over 6 to 7 weeks

Question 25

The nurse is caring for a patient with a diagnosis of idiopathic (no known cause) seizures. What are some factors associated with this type of seizures?

Answer 25

Family history of seizures present

Question 26

A patient with a history of seizures has just had abdominal surgery. The nurse knows that what antiseizure medication may affect wound healing?

Answer 26

Valproic acid (Depakote)