Chapter 19: Antiseizure Drugs

Chapter 19: Antiseizure Drugs

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. A patient is diagnosed with epilepsy and asks the nurse what may have caused this condition. The nurse explains that epilepsy is most often

a.	caused by head trauma.
b.	idiopathic in origin.
c.	linked to a stroke.
d.	related to brain anoxia.

 

 

ANS:   B

Of all seizure cases, 75% are primary, or idiopathic, with no known cause. The remaining are secondary and may be related to head trauma, stroke, or anoxic events.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Remembering (Knowledge)                      REF:    p. 246

TOP:    Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:   NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pathophysiology

 

2. A patient who has epilepsy will begin an anticonvulsant medication. The patient asks the nurse how long the medication will be necessary. How will the nurse respond?

a.	“The medication is usually taken for a lifetime.”
b.	“The medication will be given until you are seizure free.”
c.	“You will need to take the medication for 3 to 5 years.”
d.	“You will take the medication as needed for seizure activity.”

 

 

ANS:   A

Anticonvulsants are given to prevent seizures and are usually taken throughout the patient’s lifetime. Stopping the medication will lead to recurrence of seizures in most patients. Some patients may attempt to stop taking the medications after 3 to 5 years of no seizure activity. Anticonvulsants are not given as needed.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)                              REF:    p. 247

TOP:    Nursing Process: Nursing Intervention: Patient Teaching

MSC:   NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

3. The nurse is providing teaching to the parents of a 5-year-old child who will begin taking phenytoin (Dilantin). What information will the nurse include when teaching these parents about their child’s medication?

a.	“Drug interactions are uncommon with phenytoin.”
b.	“There are very few side effects associated with this drug.”
c.	“The therapeutic range of phenytoin is between 15 and 30 mcg/mL.”
d.	“Your child may need a higher dose than expected.”

 

 

ANS:   D

Drug dosage for phenytoin is age related, and children, who have a rapid metabolism, may need higher doses than those used for newborns and adults. Phenytoin has many drug interactions and many side effects. The therapeutic range is 10 to 20 mcg/mL.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)                              REF:    p. 247

TOP:    Nursing Process: Planning/Nursing Intervention: Patient Teaching

MSC:   NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

 

4. The nurse is caring for a patient who has a seizure disorder. The nurse notes that the patient has reddened gums that bleed when oral care is given. The nurse recognizes this finding as

a.	an adverse effect of the phenytoin.
b.	a drug interaction with aspirin.
c.	a symptom of hepatotoxicity.
d.	a sign of poor self-care.

 

 

ANS:   A

Hydantoins commonly cause gingival hyperplasia, which causes overgrowth of reddened gum tissue that bleeds easily. It is not a sign of a drug interaction (there is no known interaction between phenytoin and aspirin) or a symptom of hepatotoxicity. It does not indicate a lack of self-care.

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)                              REF:    p. 249

TOP:    Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:   NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies