Anticonvulsant Medications - NCLEX Style Questions

Anticonvulsant Medications - NCLEX Style Questions 5.0 (1 review) Students also studied Terms in this set (10) Science Medicine Save Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing N...50 terms schwabaccaPreview

Nclex Review: Seizure Meds

16 terms klh2774Preview NCLEX Questions Parkinson Disease...20 terms SMathews926Preview Pharma 21 terms rclo When teaching the patient about when to take Anticonvulsant medications which responses lets the nurse know that the teaching was NOT effective?

• I will take my medication at the same time every day
• I will take the medication with breakfast
• I will notify my doctor if I am seeing in double vision
• I will not eat while taking the medication to promote

absorption

• I will not eat while taking the medication to promote absorption

According to S&P pg (124) it is important to educate the patient to take the medication on a schedule, after or during meals, and that toxicity could be seen as double vision.A patient has just been started on Phenobarbital to reduce seizures. Which statement by the patient indicates knowledge of what this drug does for them?

• "This drug elevates the seizure threshold and can

reduce the amount of seizures I have."

• "This drug will make me focus better"
• "This drug is to help me fall asleep at night"
• "This drug might give me lots of energy"
• "This drug has the effect of elevating the seizure threshold and reducing the

spread of seizure activity from a seizure focus." S&P pg. 123

What is the best reply from the nurse when a patient taking Valproic acid asks "Why can't you put that through my IV?"

• "It is easier if you just take it as a pill"
• "It is imported that this medication enters the GI tract

because of the way it is used by the body. IV medications go straight into your blood and would not pass through the GI tract."

• "If I put it through your IV, it will hurt because this

medication stings when it enters the blood."

• "We only had oral doses available."
• Valproic acid is converted to the active form in the GI tract (valproate) thus, can

only be delivered orally. S&P pg. 122 A nurse enters a patient's room to administer their scheduled anticonvulsant dose. The patient is actively having a seizure when the nurse enters the room. What is the highest priority intervention for the nurse?

• Administer the anticonvulsant
• Restrain the patient to keep them from injuring

themself

• Provide safety by padding side rails of the bed and

providing cushion

• Leave the patient's phone in the bed with them so they

can contact their family immediately to provide comfort.

• "do not restrain the patient during a seizure." "protect the patient from self-harm

during violent seizures. If the patient is in bed, the side rails should be padded to prevent injury." Pearson pg. 768 Would not want to administer anything during active seizure. Leaving anything hard in the bed might bring the patient harm.A patient with a history of epilepsy is taking Phenytoin.The patient's morning labs are back, and the patient's Phenytoin level is 7 mcg/mL. Based on this finding, the nurse will?

• Assess the patient for a rash
• Initiate seizure precautions
• Hold the next dose of phenytoin
• Continue to monitor the patient

B; A normal Phenytoin level is 10 to 20 mcg/mL. The patient's level is low; therefore, the patient is at risk for seizures. The nurse should initiate seizure precautions. Remember a patient being under medicated is a trigger for developing a seizure.A patient is taking Phenytoin for treatment of seizures.Which statement by the patient requires you to re- educate the patient about this medication?

• "Every morning I take this medication with a full glass

of milk with my breakfast."

• "I know it is important to have my drug levels checked

regularly."

• "I will report a skin rash immediately to my doctor."
• "This medication can lower my body's ability to clot

and fight infection." The answer is A. This medication should NOT be taken with milk products or antacids because it affects absorption. All the other options are correct.

A patient who is having a tonic-clonic seizure is prescribed Phenobarbital. During administration of this

drug, it is important the nurse monitors for:

• Respiratory depression
• Hypertension
• Disseminated intravascular clotting
• Hypotension
• Fever

The answers are A and D. This medication stimulates the GABA receptors and helps with inhibitory neurotransmission. It can lead to respiratory depression and hypotension, therefore, it is very important the nurse monitors the patient for this.The patient has just been diagnosed with epilepsy and will be starting phenytoin. The patient's spouse asks how this medication works in the body. What is the nurse's best response?

• It inhibits the enzyme that destroys one of the

neurotransmitters

• It helps stop the entry of sodium into the cell
• It has not been determined exactly how it prevents

seizure

• It increases the amount of calcium that enters the cell
• it helps stop the entry of sodium into the cell (S&P p. 123)

The nurse has received an order to administer an initial dose of IV phenytoin to a patient with new-onset seizures. What will the nurse check before administering this medication? (Select all that apply)

• Hourly urine output
• Blood glucose levels
• Cardiac rhythm
• Blood pressure

The answers are B, C, & D. (S&P p. 124) The nurse is preparing discharge teaching for a patient who has been started on phenytoin for a seizure disorder. What information about the side effects of this medication should the nurse provide to the patient and his family?

• "There may be a green discoloration of the patient's

urine."

• "It is best to use a hard-bristle toothbrush for dental

care."

• "Nosebleeds and sore throats should be reported to

the health care provider."

• "The patient should get up slowly to prevent fainting."

C; Nosebleeds and sore throats are signs of an adverse reaction to phenytoin and need to be reported to you HC provider. (S&P p. 124)