The nurse understands that this medication should be available to ...

[penguins]

The nurse understands that this medication should be available to treat or prevent seizures during neurosurgery:
 
  a. fosphenytoin sodium. c. carbamazepine.
  b. ethosuximide. d. valproic acid.

Question 2

An adult client having been treated for three months with phenytoin is admitted to the nursing unit with mental status changes, irritability, and agitation.
 
  When evaluating the client's laboratory results, which indicates to the nurse the cause of the client's current status?
  a. platelet count of 350, 000 cells/mm3. c. phenytoin level of 30 mcg/mL.
  b. phenytoin level of 3.5 mcg/mL. d. serum sodium level of 140 mEq/L.

[Dunkey]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A

Feedback
A Correct: Fosphenytoin sodium is the drug of choice, because it is rapidly converted to phenytoin and does not cause the high irritability associated with parenteral phenytoin.
B Incorrect: This is an oral anticonvulsant.
C Incorrect: This is an oral anticonvulsant.
D Incorrect: This is an oral anticonvulsant.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C

Feedback
A Incorrect: This is a normal platelet count; phenytoin normally does not affect platelets.
B Incorrect: This is less than a therapeutic level, but manifestations should involve seizure activity.
C Correct: These are manifestations of phenytoin toxicity and this is a toxic phenytoin level.
D Incorrect: This is a normal sodium level; phenytoin normally does not affect sodium level.

[penguins]

Excellent

[bblaney]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it