Nokea
The nurse is caring for a patient with epilepsy. Which of the following laboratory results should the nurse expect?
- A. Increased blood glucose
- B. Decreased BUN
- C. Increased creatinine
- D. Decreased liver function tests
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The blood work results of a patient with epilepsy would show an increased creatinine level. The other results that would be expected are a decreased blood glucose level, increased BUN, and increased liver function tests.
You may also like to solve these questions
A patient with Parkinson's disease has a nursing diagnosis of impaired physical mobility related to bradykinesia. Which of the following actions should the nurse include in the plan of care?
- A. Instruct the patient in activities that can be done while lying or sitting.
- B. Suggest that the patient rock from side to side to initiate leg movement.
- C. Have the patient take small steps in a straight line directly in front of the feet.
- D. Teach the patient to keep the feet in contact with the floor and slide them forward.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rocking the body from side to side stimulates balance and improves mobility. The patient will be encouraged to continue exercising because this will maintain functional abilities. Maintaining a wide base of support will help with balance. The patient should lift the feet and avoid a shuffling gait.
Which of the following prescribed interventions will the nurse implement first for a hospitalized patient who is experiencing continuous tonic-clonic seizures?
- A. Give phenytoin 100 mg IV.
- B. Monitor level of consciousness.
- C. Obtain computed tomography scan.
- D. Administer lorazepam 4 mg IV.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: To prevent ongoing seizures, the nurse should administer rapidly acting antiseizure drugs such as the benzodiazepines. A CT scan is appropriate, but prevention of any seizure activity during the CT scan is necessary. Phenytoin also will be administered, but it is not rapidly acting. Patients who are experiencing tonic-clonic seizures are nonresponsive, although the nurse should assess LOC after the seizure.
The nurse is caring for a patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) who has urinary retention caused by a flaccid bladder. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?
- A. Teach the patient how to perform self-catheterization
- B. Decrease the patient's fluid intake in the evening
- C. Suggest the use of incontinence briefs for nighttime use only
- D. Assist the patient to the commode every 2 hours during the day.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bladder control is a major problem for many patients with MS. Although anticholinergics may be beneficial for some patients to decrease spasticity, other patients may need to be taught self-catheterization. Decreasing fluid intake will not improve bladder emptying and may increase risk for urinary tract infection (UTI) and dehydration. The use of incontinence briefs and frequent toileting will not improve bladder emptying.
A patient has a tonic-clonic seizure while the nurse is in the patient's room. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
- A. Insert an oral airway during the seizure to maintain a patent airway.
- B. Restrain the patient's arms and legs to prevent injury during the seizure.
- C. Avoid touching the patient to prevent further nervous system stimulation.
- D. Time and observe and record the details of the seizure and postictal state.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Because diagnosis and treatment of seizures frequently are based on the description of the seizure, recording the length and details of the seizure is important. Insertion of an oral airway and restraining the patient during the seizure are contraindicated. The nurse may need to move the patient to decrease the risk of injury during the seizure.
The nurse is preparing to admit a patient who has been treated for status epilepticus in the emergency department. Which of the following equipment should the nurse have available in the room? (Select all that apply.)
- A. Side rail pads
- B. Tongue blade
- C. Oxygen mask
- D. Suction tubing
- E. Nasogastric tube
Correct Answer: A,C,D
Rationale: The patient is at risk for further seizures, and oxygen and suctioning may be needed after any seizures to clear the airway and maximize oxygenation. The bed's side rails should be padded to minimize the risk for patient injury during a seizure. Insertion of a nasogastric (NG) tube is not indicated because the airway problem is not caused by vomiting or abdominal distention. Use of tongue blades during a seizure is contraindicated.