This topic contains a solution. Click here to go to the answer
« previous next »

Author Question: A nurse provides teaching for a patient with a newly diagnosed partial complex seizure disorder who ... (Read 106 times)

londonang

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 540
on: Jul 23, 2018
A nurse provides teaching for a patient with a newly diagnosed partial complex seizure disorder who is about to begin therapy with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?
 
  a. Even with an accurate diagnosis of my seizures, it may be difficult to find an effective drug.
  b. I will soon know that the drugs are effective by being seizure free for several months.
  c. Serious side effects may occur, and if they do, I should stop taking the medication.
  d. When drug levels are maintained at therapeutic levels, I can expect to be seizure free.

Question 2

A patient with a form of epilepsy that may have spontaneous remission has been taking an AED for a year. The patient reports being seizure free for 6 months and asks the nurse when the drug can be discontinued.
 
  What will the nurse tell the patient?
  a. AEDs must be taken for life to maintain remission.
  b. Another AED will be substituted for the current AED.
  c. The provider will withdraw the drug over a 6- to 12-week period.
  d. The patient should stop taking the AED now and restart the drug if seizures recur.


Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
Marked as best answer by a Subject Expert

izzat

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 328
Reply #1 on: Jul 23, 2018
Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Even with an accurate diagnosis of seizures, many patients have to try more than one AED to find a drug that is both effective and well tolerated. Unless patients are being treated for absence seizures, which occur frequently, monitoring of the clinical outcome is not sufficient for determining effectiveness, because patients with convulsive seizures often have long seizure-free periods. Serious side effects may occur, but withdrawing a drug precipitously can induce seizures. Not all patients have seizure control with therapeutic drug levels, because not all medications work for all patients.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
The most important rule about withdrawing AEDs is that they should be withdrawn slowly over 6 weeks to several months to reduce the risk of status epilepticus (SE). AEDs need not be taken for life if seizures no longer occur. Substituting one AED for another to withdraw AED therapy is not recommended. Stopping an AED abruptly increases the risk of SE.


londonang

  • Member
  • Posts: 540
Reply 2 on: Jul 23, 2018
Excellent

bdobbins

  • Member
  • Posts: 326
Reply 3 on: Yesterday
Great answer, keep it coming :)

« previous next »
 

Did you know?

The average person is easily confused by the terms pharmaceutics and pharmacology, thinking they are one and the same. Whereas pharmaceutics is the science of preparing and dispensing drugs (otherwise known as the science of pharmacy), pharmacology is the study of medications.

Did you know?

According to the CDC, approximately 31.7% of the U.S. population has high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad cholesterol" levels.

Did you know?

Signs and symptoms that may signify an eye tumor include general blurred vision, bulging eye(s), double vision, a sensation of a foreign body in the eye(s), iris defects, limited ability to move the eyelid(s), limited ability to move the eye(s), pain or discomfort in or around the eyes or eyelids, red or pink eyes, white or cloud spots on the eye(s), colored spots on the eyelid(s), swelling around the eyes, swollen eyelid(s), and general vision loss.

Did you know?

People with alcoholism are at a much greater risk of malnutrition than are other people and usually exhibit low levels of most vitamins (especially folic acid). This is because alcohol often takes the place of 50% of their daily intake of calories, with little nutritional value contained in it.

Did you know?

One way to reduce acid reflux is to lose two or three pounds. Most people lose weight in the belly area first when they increase exercise, meaning that heartburn can be reduced quickly by this method.

Patient Information Supplied When Scheduling Hospital Admissions Patient Information Supplied When Scheduling Hospital Admissions
Key symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. Key symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
Drugs for Bipolar Disorder Drugs for Bipolar Disorder
Most Commonly Diagnosed Mental Disorders Most Commonly Diagnosed Mental Disorders
Denture sore mouth in a patient who never removed partial dentures at night. Denture sore mouth in a patient who never removed partial dentures at night.
Aerial View of the Ceremonial Complex, Persepolis Aerial View of the Ceremonial Complex, Persepolis
Video: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library