Question 1

Which statements about antiepileptic drug (AED)therapy are true? (Select all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A) AED therapy can be stopped when seizures are under control. 
B) AED therapy is usually lifelong. 
C) Consistent dosing is key to control of seizures. 
D) A dose may be skipped if the patient is experiencing adverse effects. 
E) Abrupt withdrawal from AEDs may cause rebound seizure activity. 
A) AED therapy can be stopped when seizures are under control. 
B) AED therapy is usually lifelong. 
C) Consistent dosing is key to control of seizures. 
D) A dose may be skipped if the patient is experiencing adverse effects. 
E) Abrupt withdrawal from AEDs may cause rebound seizure activity. B,C,E

Question 2

Which antiepileptic drug allows once-a-day dosing?

Accepted Answer

A) topiramate (Topamax) 
B) phenobarbital sodium 
C) valproic acid (Depakene) 
D) gabapentin (Neurontin) 
A) topiramate (Topamax) 
B) phenobarbital sodium 
C) valproic acid (Depakene) 
D) gabapentin (Neurontin) B

Question 3

When administering phenytoin (Dilantin)intravenously,what must the nurse remember?

Accepted Answer

A) Normal saline is the only solution to be used with phenytoin. 
B) Intravenous (IV) doses must be given rapidly to raise blood levels quickly. 
C) The patient should be monitored closely for tachycardia and increased blood pressure. 
D) Phenytoin can be combined with other solutions without fear of precipitate formation. 
A) Normal saline is the only solution to be used with phenytoin. 
B) Intravenous (IV) doses must be given rapidly to raise blood levels quickly. 
C) The patient should be monitored closely for tachycardia and increased blood pressure. 
D) Phenytoin can be combined with other solutions without fear of precipitate formation. A

Question 4

While teaching a patient about taking a newly prescribed antiepileptic drug (AED)at home,what information should the nurse emphasize?

Accepted Answer

A) Driving will be allowed after 2 weeks of therapy. 
B) If seizures recur, the patient should take a double dose of the medication. 
C) Antacids can be taken with the AED to reduce gastrointestinal adverse effects. 
D) Regular consistent dosing is important for successful treatment. 
A) Driving will be allowed after 2 weeks of therapy. 
B) If seizures recur, the patient should take a double dose of the medication. 
C) Antacids can be taken with the AED to reduce gastrointestinal adverse effects. 
D) Regular consistent dosing is important for successful treatment.

Question 5

Which teaching tips is appropriate for the nurse to give a patient taking topiramate (Topamax)?

Accepted Answer

A) Do not chew, crush, or break the tablet. 
B) Take the medication on an empty stomach. 
C) Crush the medication if needed to facilitate swallowing. 
D) If adverse effects are too severe, a dose may be skipped. 
A) Do not chew, crush, or break the tablet. 
B) Take the medication on an empty stomach. 
C) Crush the medication if needed to facilitate swallowing. 
D) If adverse effects are too severe, a dose may be skipped.

Question 6

A patient has been taking gabapentin (Neurontin)for several years as part of the treatment for partial seizures.His wife has called because he ran out of medication this morning,and she wonders whether he can go without it for a week until she can go to the drugstore.Which statement is true in this situation?

Accepted Answer

A) Because the patient is taking another antiepileptic drug, he can go a week without the gabapentin. 
B) Stopping this medication abruptly may cause withdrawal seizures. 
C) The patient should temporarily increase the dosage of his other medications. 
D) The patient can probably stop all medication because he has been treated for several years now. 
A) Because the patient is taking another antiepileptic drug, he can go a week without the gabapentin. 
B) Stopping this medication abruptly may cause withdrawal seizures. 
C) The patient should temporarily increase the dosage of his other medications. 
D) The patient can probably stop all medication because he has been treated for several years now.

Question 7

A patient has a 9-year history of a seizure disorder that has been managed well with phenytoin therapy.He is to receive nothing by mouth because he has surgery in the morning.What should the nurse do about his morning dose of phenytoin?

Accepted Answer

A) Give the same dose intravenously. 
B) Give the morning dose with a small sip of water. 
C) Contact the physician for another dosage form of the medication. 
D) Notify the operating room that the medication has been withheld. 
A) Give the same dose intravenously. 
B) Give the morning dose with a small sip of water. 
C) Contact the physician for another dosage form of the medication. 
D) Notify the operating room that the medication has been withheld.

Question 8

Phenytoin (Dilantin)has a narrow therapeutic index.Which statement defines this characteristic?

Accepted Answer

A) The safe and toxic plasma levels are very close. 
B) Phenytoin has a narrow chance of being effective. 
C) No difference exists between safe and toxic plasma levels. 
D) A very small dosage can result in the desired therapeutic effect. 
A) The safe and toxic plasma levels are very close. 
B) Phenytoin has a narrow chance of being effective. 
C) No difference exists between safe and toxic plasma levels. 
D) A very small dosage can result in the desired therapeutic effect.

Question 9

During the nurse's assessment,the patient describes her seizures as initial muscular contractions throughout her body,then alternating between contractions and relaxation.What kind of seizure is she describing?

Accepted Answer

A) Convulsion 
B) Partial seizure 
C) Simple seizure 
D) Generalized tonic-clonic seizure 
A) Convulsion 
B) Partial seizure 
C) Simple seizure 
D) Generalized tonic-clonic seizure

Question 10

A patient has been taking carbamazepine (Tegretol)for several months and is worried because the physician has increased the dose twice since the beginning of therapy.Which is the nurse's best explanation to the patient?

Accepted Answer

A) The initial dose was not sufficient to prevent seizures. 
B) Autoinduction results in lower-than-expected drug concentrations. 
C) Because the seizures are difficult to manage, increased doses are needed to control them. 
D) Forgetting to take the medication as prescribed led to a need for increased dosage. 
A) The initial dose was not sufficient to prevent seizures. 
B) Autoinduction results in lower-than-expected drug concentrations. 
C) Because the seizures are difficult to manage, increased doses are needed to control them. 
D) Forgetting to take the medication as prescribed led to a need for increased dosage.

Question 11

What is the drug of choice for the immediate treatment of status epilepticus?

Accepted Answer

A) diazepam (Valium) 
B) midazolam 
C) valproic acid (Depakene) 
D) carbamazepine (Tegretol) 
A) diazepam (Valium) 
B) midazolam 
C) valproic acid (Depakene) 
D) carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Exam 15: Antiepileptic Drugs

Which statements about antiepileptic drug (AED)therapy are true? (Select all that apply.)

Which antiepileptic drug allows once-a-day dosing?

When administering phenytoin (Dilantin)intravenously,what must the nurse remember?

While teaching a patient about taking a newly prescribed antiepileptic drug (AED)at home,what information should the nurse emphasize?

Which teaching tips is appropriate for the nurse to give a patient taking topiramate (Topamax)?

A patient has a 9-year history of a seizure disorder that has been managed well with phenytoin therapy.He is to receive nothing by mouth because he has surgery in the morning.What should the nurse do about his morning dose of phenytoin?

Phenytoin (Dilantin)has a narrow therapeutic index.Which statement defines this characteristic?

During the nurse's assessment,the patient describes her seizures as initial muscular contractions throughout her body,then alternating between contractions and relaxation.What kind of seizure is she describing?

A patient has been taking carbamazepine (Tegretol)for several months and is worried because the physician has increased the dose twice since the beginning of therapy.Which is the nurse's best explanation to the patient?

What is the drug of choice for the immediate treatment of status epilepticus?

Nursing Practice in Canada and Drug Therapy

Pharmacological Principles

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Patient Focused Considerations

Gene Therapy and Pharmacogenomics

Medication Errors: Preventing and Responding

Patient Education and Drug Therapy

Over-the-Counter Drugs and Natural Health Products

Vitamins and Minerals

Principles of Drug Administration

Analgesic Drugs

General and Local Anaesthetics

Central Nervous System Depressants and Muscle Relaxants

Central Nervous System Stimulants and Related Drugs

Antiparkinsonian Drugs

Psychotherapeutic Drugs

Substance Misuse

Adrenergic Drugs

Adrenergic-Blocking Drugs

Cholinergic Drugs

Cholinergic-Blocking Drugs

Antihypertensive Drugs

Antianginal Drugs

Heart Failure Drugs

Antidysrhythmic Drugs

Coagulation Modifier Drugs

Antilipemic Drugs

Diuretic Drugs

Fluids and Electrolytes

Pituitary Drugs

Thyroid and Antithyroid Drugs

Antidiabetic Drugs

Adrenal Drugs

Women’s Health Drugs

Men’s Health Drugs

Antihistamines,Decongestants,Antitussives,and Expectorants

Respiratory Drugs

Acid-Controlling Drugs

Antidiarrheal Drugs and Laxatives

Antiemetic and Anti-nausea Drugs

Nutritional Supplements

Antibiotics, Part 1: Sulfonamides, Penicillins, Cephalosporins, Macrolides, and Tetracyclines

Antibiotics Part 2: Aminoglycosides, Fluoroquinolones, and Other Drugs

Antiviral Drugs

Antitubercular Drugs

Antifungal Drugs

Antimalarial, Antiprotozoal, and Anthelmintic Drugs

Anti-Inflammatory and Antigout Drugs

Immunosuppressant Drugs

Immunizing Drugs and Pandemic Preparedness

Antineoplastic Drugs Part 1: Cancer Overview and Cell Cycle–Specific Drugs

Antineoplastic Drugs Part 2: Cell Cycle–Nonspecific and Miscellaneous Drugs

Biological Response–Modifying Drugs

Anemia Drugs

Dermatological Drugs

Ophthalmic Drugs

Otic Drugs

Filters