Author Question: A patient who has been prescribed ethosuximide (Zarontin) twice daily (every 12 hours) for absence ... (Read 73 times)

AEWBW · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient who has been prescribed ethosuximide (Zarontin) twice daily (every 12 hours) for absence seizures reports that the morning dose was missed 10 hours ago. What is the nurse's best advice?

a. Skip today's second dose as well as the dose you already missed.
b. Take the missed dose now and the regularly scheduled dose in 2 hours.
c. Take the missed dose and the regularly scheduled second dose immediately.
d. Take the regularly scheduled second dose now and forget about the morning dose.

Question 2

The nurse is teaching a patient about diuretic therapy. Which statement made by the patient indicates that more teaching is needed?

a. I am so thankful that my high blood pressure has been cured by this drug.
b. I always try to drink just about the same amount of fluid that I urinate each day.
c. I will call my health care provider if my heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute.
d. I have been taking this drug early in the day so that I don't have to get up during the night.

Cheesycrackers · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

D
It is important to try to keep to the dosing schedule to maintain blood levels of antiseizure drugs and prevent seizures. However, it has now been 10 hours since the missed dose. Taking it now and also taking the regularly scheduled second dose could cause blood levels to be too high. The missed dose should not be taken at all. The second dose can be taken now or at its regularly scheduled time.

Answer to Question 2

A
Diuretics do not cure high blood pressure (hypertension), they only control the problem. If the patient stops taking the diuretic, blood pressure will increase.