Prep U Intracranial
A client who is receiving phenytoin has a serum drug level drawn. Which result would the nurse interpret as within the therapeutic range?
12 mcg/mL
A nurse who gives care on a neurological floor is working with several clients. Which client should the nurse prioritize for further assessment and possible interventions?
A client receiving pregabalin who is not responsive to verbal stimuli
A nurse is caring for a patient who is going to take ethosuximide. During the nurse's initial assessment, the nurse learns that the patient's history includes hepatitis. Which laboratory test should be done before therapy is started?
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
A client is receiving carbamazepine therapy and the client's latest serum level of the drug is 13 mcg/mL. What action is most appropriate?
Anticipate a reduction in dosage
What explanation should the nurse provide for why pregnancy is discouraged in women who are being treated for seizure disorders?
Antiepilepsy drugs are teratogenic.
The nurse has administered gabapentin to a client. Following administration, the nurse should assess the client for what possible adverse effect?
Central nervous system (CNS) depression
A client in the clinic with a history of epilepsy has just tested positive for pregnancy. What is the nurse's next action?
Consult with the primary health care provider.
A client is prescribed lamotrigine for control of partial seizures. What is the most important medication teaching information the nurse should emphasize from the plan of care?
Contact the health care provider immediately if rash appears.
The nurse instructs the parent of a young school-age child with a seizure disorder who takes an AED to be alert for what signs and symptoms?
Excessive sedation and interference with learning and social development
A nurse is preparing to administer diazepam, which has been prescribed intravenously. Which action would be most important for the nurse to do? Select all that apply.
Give the drug by slow IV push Be alert for possible drug precipitation Use an injection port as close to the IV site as possible
An older adult client has been prescribed an antiseizure medication and is experiencing central nervous system depression. What is the nurse's most appropriate action?
Implement falls precautions
What best reflects the action of barbiturates when used to control seizures?
Inhibition of impulse conduction
A client comes to the emergency department experiencing status epilepticus. Which medication would the nurse expect to administer?
Lorazepam
A client is prescribed methsuximide. The nurse should expect to administer this drug by which route?
Oral
After teaching a group of nursing students about seizures, the instructor determines that the teaching was successful when the group identifies seizures that do not impair consciousness but can involve the senses or motor ability as which type?
Partial seizures
The nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client with partial seizures who is prescribed drug therapy. The nurse would question the order for what if the nurse finds that the client has a history of alcohol abuse?
Pregabalin
A client is receiving lamotrigine as treatment for partial seizures. Which assessment finding would lead the nurse to stop the drug immediately?
Rash
The nurse has taught a client who is receiving lamotrigine about possible adverse effects. The nurse determines that the client has understood the teaching when the client identifies a need to promptly report what adverse effect?
Rash
While taking the vital signs of a hospitalized client admitted for seizure control due to epilepsy, the nurse notices a bloody toothbrush on the client's bedside table and scattered bruising over the client's extremities. What is the nurse's best action?
Report the findings to the primary health care provider immediately.
The nurse is participating in the care of a client in status epilepticus who is receiving phenobarbital IV. Which nursing diagnosis should the nurse prioritize during this client's current care?
Risk for injury related to seizure activity
In a person being treated for a diagnosed seizure disorder, what is the most common cause of status epilepticus?
abruptly stopping the antiseizure medications
While speaking with a client, the nurse notes that the client stares off, unblinking. The nurse notes that after several prompts, the client blinks rapidly and then resumes normal conversation. This behavior is consistent with what type of seizure?
absence
A client reports sensing an unusual smell just prior to experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure. What term is used to describe this event?
aura
What is a common risk for epileptic seizures during late infancy to early childhood?
fever
A nurse is caring for a client with trigeminal neuralgia at a health care facility. The health care provider has prescribed carbamazepine. In which case is the use of carbamazepine contraindicated in clients with:
renal impairment.
The nurse is caring for a 26-year-old client with partial seizures and has been prescribed oxcarbazepine as monotherapy. It will be critical for the nurse to inform the client of which needed action?
since she is taking oral contraceptives, she will need to use an additional form of birth control.
The nurse is providing education to an adult client who has been prescribed lamotrigine for a seizure disorder. The nurse should inform the client that the medication must be stopped if what unexpected reaction develops?
skin rash
What type of seizure activity is characterized by generalized tonic-clonic convulsions lasting for several minutes during which the client does not regain consciousness?
status epilepticus
