The physician has ordered rectal diazepam for a 2-year-old boy ...

[Ebrown]

The physician has ordered rectal diazepam for a 2-year-old boy with status epilepticus. Which instruction is essential for the nurse to teach the parents?
 
  A) Monitor their child's level of sedation.
  B) Watch for fever indicating infection.
  C) Gradually reduce the dosage as seizures stop.
  D) Monitor for an allergic reaction to the medication.

Question 2

A child has undergone surgery using steel bar placement to correct pectus excavatum. What position would the nurse instruct the parents to avoid?
 
  A) Semi-Fowler
  B) Supine
  C) High Fowler
  D) Side-lying

[dudman123]

Answer to Question 1

Ans: A
Diazepam is useful for home management of prolonged seizures and requires that the parents be educated on its proper administration. Monitoring the child's level of sedation is key when giving diazepam because it slows the central nervous system. Parents need to monitor the overall health of the child, including temperature when needed, but that has nothing to do with the diazepam. When the use of an anticonvulsant is stopped, gradual reduction of the dosage is necessary to prevent seizures or status epilepticus. This is not done without a physician's order. Monitoring for allergic reactions is necessary when any medications have been prescribed, but is not specific to diazepam.

Answer to Question 2

Ans: D
After surgery to correct pectus excavatum, the nurse would instruct the parents to avoid positioning the child on either side because this could disrupt the bar's position. Semi- or high Fowler's position and the supine position would be appropriate.