Author Question: The client says to the nurse, My doctor said that I will always have to take medicine to control the ... (Read 4 times)

sdfghj · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

The client says to the nurse, My doctor said that I will always have to take medicine to control the seizures from my epilepsy. Is that so? What is the best response by the nurse?

1. You will need to take medication on a continuous basis to control the seizures.
2. You will have to take the medication until your seizures are cured.
3. You will need to take the medication unless you are willing to make some very difficult lifestyle changes.
4. After you have been seizure free for 1 year, you can stop taking medication.

Question 2

The client tells the nurse that she has been prescribed phenytoin (Dilantin) for 2 years and is still having too many side effects. She wants to stop taking it. What is the best response by the nurse?

1. This is the best medication for you; we can add another medication to decrease the side effects associated with phenytoin (Dilantin).
2. Please do not stop the medication abruptly, as you will have withdrawal seizures.
3. You have probably been on the medication long enough; I'll let your doctor know you are stopping it.
4. Side effects are a problem, but they are not as bad as the seizures you were having.

morganmarie791 · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: Epilepsy is a disease where seizures occur on a chronic basis. Once seizures are controlled, clients are continued indefinitely on the antiseizure drug.
Rationale 2: Epilepsy and associated seizures are not curable with medications.
Rationale 3: The seizures associated with epilepsy are not lifestyle dependent and cannot be cured or controlled by changes of lifestyle.
Rationale 4: After the client has been seizure free for 3 years, the health care provider may recommend a slow withdrawal from medication.
Global Rationale: Epilepsy is a disease where seizures occur on a chronic basis. Once seizures are controlled, clients are continued indefinitely on the antiseizure drug. Epilepsy and associated seizures are not curable with medications. The seizures associated with epilepsy are not lifestyle dependent and cannot be cured or controlled by changes of lifestyle. After the client has been seizure free for 3 years, the health care provider may recommend a slow withdrawal from medication.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: There is no other medication that can be added to decrease the side effects associated with phenytoin (Dilantin).
Rationale 2: Seizures are likely to occur with abrupt withdrawal of antiseizure medication. The medication must be withdrawn over a period of 612 weeks.
Rationale 3: The nurse does not know if the client has been on the medication long enough, and the client must be informed of the consequences of abruptly stopping the medication.
Rationale 4: Telling a client that medication side effects are not as bad as seizures is an inappropriate and nontherapeutic response that does not address the client's concerns.
Global Rationale: Seizures are likely to occur with abrupt withdrawal of antiseizure medication. The medication must be withdrawn over a period of 612 weeks. There is no other medication that can be added to decrease the side effects associated with phenytoin (Dilantin). The nurse does not know if the client has been on the medication long enough, and the client must be informed of the consequences of abruptly stopping the medication. Telling a client that medication side effects are not as bad as seizures is an inappropriate and nontherapeutic response that does not address the client's concerns.