Pharmacology Ch. 22 Anticonvulsants Test Bank

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. - correct answearsANS: 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: Page 304 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. - correct answearsANS: A Anticonvulsants are given to prevent seizures and are usually taken throughout the patients 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: Page 305 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 childs 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. - correct answearsANS: D