The nurse is caring for a child receiving a central nervous ...

[Marty]

The nurse is caring for a child receiving a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant who was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit following repeated seizures after a closed head injury.
 
  The physician orders phenytoin to control seizures and lorazepam to be administered every time the child has a seizure. What is the nurse's priority action? A) Call the doctor and question the administration of phenytoin.
  B) Call the doctor and question the administration of lorazepam.
  C) Wait 24 hours before beginning to administer phenytoin.
  D) Wait 24 hours before beginning to administer lorazepam.

Question 2

A 77-year-old man is brought to the clinic by his daughter for a routine follow-up appointment. The daughter tells the nurse that her father is only taking half the prescribed dosage of several of his medications.
 
  What effect would the nurse explain could result from this behavior? A) Increased risk of primary actions
  B) Dermatologic reaction
  C) Superinfection
  D) Reduced therapeutic effect

[katieost]

Answer to Question 1

A
Feedback:
The combination of CNS stimulants with phenytoin leads to a risk of increased drug levels. Patients who receive such a combination should be monitored for toxicity. There is no contraindication for use of lorazepam.

Answer to Question 2

D
Feedback:
Taking too little of the medication would mean that therapeutic levels are not being reached and the drugs will be less effective at lower dosages. Primary actions are the result of overdose, which is not the case in this patient who is taking too little of the drug. Dermatologic reactions are not likely if the patient is taking too little of the drug unless the drug is treating a dermatologic problem, which is not indicated by the question. Superinfection would only result if the patient was taking an antibiotic, which is not indicated by the question.

[Marty]

Both answers were spot on, thank you once again

[katieost]

Great! Please up vote