A nurse is obtaining a health history from the family of a ...

[londonang]

A nurse is obtaining a health history from the family of a patient who has a history of seizures and is being treated with phenytoin (Dilantin).
 
  The patient was brought to the emergency department and was unresponsive to voice or touch. The family states that the patient had been drinking alcohol all afternoon. What further assessment is indicated by the nurse?
  a. The nurse should assess for other signs of central nervous system depression.
  b. The nurse should suspect that a grand mal seizure has occurred.
  c. The nurse should assess for gingival hyperplasia.
  d. The nurse should gather more information from the family.

Question 2

A patient with multiple sclerosis has begun experiencing extreme bouts of fatigue. The patient states, I don't have the energy to do anything. I just need a boost, because I feel like I'm depressed as well.
 
  Is there a medication I can take that helps both my fatigue and depression? The nurse would anticipate that the prescriber would order which class of drug?
  a. A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
  b. An amphetamine
  c. A monoamine oxidase inhibitor
  d. A tricyclic antidepressant

[cascooper22]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The depressant effects of alcohol potentiate the central nervous system effects of phenytoin.
No evidence indicates that a grand mal seizure has occurred.
Gingival hyperplasia is an expected side effect with phenytoin and is not related to the patient's alcohol use.
The nurse should begin the assessment, because the family has provided the pertinent information about the patient's current state.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Fatigue develops in up to 90 of patients with multiple sclerosis. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can reduce fatigue and are a good choice for patients who are also depressed.
Amphetamines, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and tricyclic antidepressants are not the drugs of choice to manage fatigue and depression.

[londonang]

Thank you!

[cascooper22]

Always glad to help...