Author Question: Which premedication assessment by the nurse is most important prior to the initiation of ... (Read 108 times)

dollx · **on:** Jul 24, 2018

Which premedication assessment by the nurse is most important prior to the initiation of carbamazepine (Tegretol) therapy?

a. Determine patient's ancestry.
b. Monitor blood pressure (BP) lying, sitting, and standing.
c. Auscultate lung sounds.
d. Obtain smoking history.

Question 2

Which condition would indicate to the nurse that a patient has phenytoin (Dilantin) toxicity?

a. Oculogyric crisis
b. Nystagmus
c. Strabismus
d. Amblyopia

tdewitt · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 24, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The nurse needs to review the patient's history to exclude Asian ancestry, including South Asian Indians. If the patient does have this ancestry, bring it to the prescriber's attention so that genetic testing may be completed. BP monitoring is important and hypotension is an adverse effect, but it is not as significant to monitor prior to the initiation of therapy. Lung sound assessment and smoking history assessment are important assessments, but not prior to the initiation of carbamazepine therapy.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Nystagmus (involuntary rhythmic, uncontrollable movements of one or both eyes) may be a sign of phenytoin toxicity. Oculogyric crisis is an adverse effect of some antipsychotic medications. Strabismus is a visual disorder in which the eyes are misaligned and point in different directions. Amblyopia is a loss of visual acuity in the nondominant eye caused by lack of use of the eye in early childhood.