Chapter 14: Antiepileptic Drugs lilley
test bank Question and answers rated
A+ 2026
The nurse is reviewing the dosage schedule for several different antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Which
antiepileptic drug allows for once-a-day dosing?
a. Levetiracetam (Keppra)
b. Phenobarbital
c. Valproic acid (Depakote)
d. Gabapentin (Neurontin) - correct answer ✔ANS: B
Phenobarbital has the longest half-life of all standard AEDs, including those listed in the other options;
therefore, it allows for once-a-day dosing.
The nurse has given medication instructions to a patient receiving phenytoin (Dilantin). Which statement
by the patient indicates that the patient has an adequate understanding of the instructions?
a. "I will need to take extra care of my teeth and gums while on this medication."
b. "I can go out for a beer while on this medication."
c. "I can skip doses if the side effects bother me."
d. "I will be able to stop taking this drug once the seizures stop." - correct answer ✔ANS: A
Thorough dental care is necessary to prevent gingival hypertrophy during therapy with phenytoin.
Alcohol and other central nervous system depressants may cause severe sedation. Consistent dosing is
important to maintain therapeutic drug levels. Therapy with AEDs usually must continue for life and
must not be stopped once seizures stop.
When teaching a patient about taking a newly prescribed antiepileptic drug (AED) at home, the nurse
will include which instruction?
a. "Driving is allowed after 2 weeks of therapy."
b. "If seizures recur, take a double dose of the medication."
, c. "Antacids can be taken with the AED to reduce gastrointestinal adverse effects."
d. "Take the drug at the same time every day." - correct answer ✔ANS: D
Consistent dosing, taken regularly at the same time of day, at the recommended dose, and with meals
to reduce the common gastrointestinal adverse effects, is the key to successful management of seizures
when taking AEDs. The other options are not correct statements.
A patient has a 9-year history of a seizure disorder that has been managed well with oral phenytoin
(Dilantin) therapy. He is to be NPO (consume nothing by mouth) for surgery in the morning. What will
the nurse do about his morning dose of phenytoin?
a. Give the same dose intravenously.
b. Give the morning dose with a small sip of water.
c. Contact the prescriber for another dosage form of the medication.
d. Notify the operating room that the medication has been withheld. - correct answer ✔ANS: C
If there are any questions about the medication order or the medication prescribed, contact the
prescriber immediately for clarification and for an order of the appropriate dose form of the medication.
Do not change the route without the prescriber's order. There is an increased risk of seizure activity if
one or more doses of the AED are missed.
The nurse is giving an intravenous dose of phenytoin (Dilantin). Which action is correct when
administering this drug?
a. Give the dose as a fast intravenous (IV) bolus.
b. Mix the drug with normal saline, and give it as a slow IV push.
c. Mix the drug with dextrose (D5W), and give it as a slow IV push.
d. Mix the drug with any available solution as long as the administration rate is correct. - correct answer
✔ANS: B
Intravenous phenytoin is given only with normal saline solution to prevent precipitation formation
caused by incompatibilities. The IV push dose must be given slowly (not exceeding 50 mg/min in adults),
and the patient must be monitored for bradycardia and decreased blood pressure.
test bank Question and answers rated
A+ 2026
The nurse is reviewing the dosage schedule for several different antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Which
antiepileptic drug allows for once-a-day dosing?
a. Levetiracetam (Keppra)
b. Phenobarbital
c. Valproic acid (Depakote)
d. Gabapentin (Neurontin) - correct answer ✔ANS: B
Phenobarbital has the longest half-life of all standard AEDs, including those listed in the other options;
therefore, it allows for once-a-day dosing.
The nurse has given medication instructions to a patient receiving phenytoin (Dilantin). Which statement
by the patient indicates that the patient has an adequate understanding of the instructions?
a. "I will need to take extra care of my teeth and gums while on this medication."
b. "I can go out for a beer while on this medication."
c. "I can skip doses if the side effects bother me."
d. "I will be able to stop taking this drug once the seizures stop." - correct answer ✔ANS: A
Thorough dental care is necessary to prevent gingival hypertrophy during therapy with phenytoin.
Alcohol and other central nervous system depressants may cause severe sedation. Consistent dosing is
important to maintain therapeutic drug levels. Therapy with AEDs usually must continue for life and
must not be stopped once seizures stop.
When teaching a patient about taking a newly prescribed antiepileptic drug (AED) at home, the nurse
will include which instruction?
a. "Driving is allowed after 2 weeks of therapy."
b. "If seizures recur, take a double dose of the medication."
, c. "Antacids can be taken with the AED to reduce gastrointestinal adverse effects."
d. "Take the drug at the same time every day." - correct answer ✔ANS: D
Consistent dosing, taken regularly at the same time of day, at the recommended dose, and with meals
to reduce the common gastrointestinal adverse effects, is the key to successful management of seizures
when taking AEDs. The other options are not correct statements.
A patient has a 9-year history of a seizure disorder that has been managed well with oral phenytoin
(Dilantin) therapy. He is to be NPO (consume nothing by mouth) for surgery in the morning. What will
the nurse do about his morning dose of phenytoin?
a. Give the same dose intravenously.
b. Give the morning dose with a small sip of water.
c. Contact the prescriber for another dosage form of the medication.
d. Notify the operating room that the medication has been withheld. - correct answer ✔ANS: C
If there are any questions about the medication order or the medication prescribed, contact the
prescriber immediately for clarification and for an order of the appropriate dose form of the medication.
Do not change the route without the prescriber's order. There is an increased risk of seizure activity if
one or more doses of the AED are missed.
The nurse is giving an intravenous dose of phenytoin (Dilantin). Which action is correct when
administering this drug?
a. Give the dose as a fast intravenous (IV) bolus.
b. Mix the drug with normal saline, and give it as a slow IV push.
c. Mix the drug with dextrose (D5W), and give it as a slow IV push.
d. Mix the drug with any available solution as long as the administration rate is correct. - correct answer
✔ANS: B
Intravenous phenytoin is given only with normal saline solution to prevent precipitation formation
caused by incompatibilities. The IV push dose must be given slowly (not exceeding 50 mg/min in adults),
and the patient must be monitored for bradycardia and decreased blood pressure.
