Author Question: A nurse assesses a client with a history of epilepsy who experiences stiffening of the muscles of ... (Read 91 times)

Yolanda · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

A nurse assesses a client with a history of epilepsy who experiences stiffening of the muscles of the arms and legs, followed by an immediate loss of consciousness and jerking of all extremities. How should the nurse document this activity?

a. Atonic seizure
b. Tonic-clonic seizure
c. Myoclonic seizure
d. Absence seizure

Question 2

A nurse obtains a health history on a client prior to administering prescribed sumatriptan succinate (Imitrex) for migraine headaches. Which condition should alert the nurse to hold the medication and contact the health care provider?

a. Bronchial asthma
b. Prinzmetal's angina
c. Diabetes mellitus
d. Chronic kidney disease

Ksanderson1296 · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: B
Seizure activity that begins with stiffening of the arms and legs, followed by loss of consciousness and jerking of all extremities, is characteristic of a tonic-clonic seizure. An atonic seizure presents as a sudden loss of muscle tone followed by postictal confusion. A myoclonic seizure presents with a brief jerking or stiffening of extremities that may occur singly or in groups. Absence seizures present with automatisms, and the client is unaware of his or her environment.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
Sumatriptan succinate effectively reduces pain and other associated symptoms of migraine headache by binding to serotonin receptors and triggering cranial vasoconstriction. Vasoconstrictive effects are not confined to the cranium and can cause coronary vasospasm in clients with Prinzmetal's angina. The other conditions would not affect the client's treatment.