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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning for users of antiepileptic drugs. Based on this report, the nurse will monitor for which potential problems with this class of drugs?
- A. Increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- B. Signs of bone marrow depression
- C. Indications of drug addiction and dependency
- D. Increased risk of cardiovascular events, such as strokes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has required black box warnings on all antiepileptic drugs regarding the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Patients being treated with antiepileptic drugs for any indication need to be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, or any unusual changes in mood or behavior. The other options are incorrect.
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During a routine appointment, a patient with a history of seizures is found to have a phenytoin level of 18 mg/mL. What concern will the nurse have, if any?
- A. The patient is at risk for seizures because the drug level is not at a therapeutic level.
- B. The patient's seizures should be under control because this is a therapeutic drug level.
- C. The patient's seizures should be under control if she is also taking a second antiepileptic drug.
- D. The drug level is at a toxic level, and the dosage needs to be reduced.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic drug levels for phenytoin are usually 10 to 20 mg/mL. The other options are incorrect.
The nurse is monitoring a patient who has been taking carbamazepine for 2 months. Which effects would indicate that autoinduction has started to occur?
- A. The drug levels for carbamazepine are higher than expected.
- B. The drug levels for carbamazepine are lower than expected.
- C. The patient is experiencing fewer seizures.
- D. The patient is experiencing toxic effects from the drug.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: With carbamazepine, autoinduction occurs and leads to lower than expected drug concentrations. Therefore, the dosage may have to be adjusted with time. The other options are incorrect.
The nurse has given medication instructions to a patient receiving phenytoin. Which statement by the patient indicates that the patient has an adequate understanding of the instructions?
- A. I will need to take extra care of my teeth and gums while on this medication.
- B. I can go out for a beer while on this medication.
- C. I can skip doses if the side effects bother me.
- D. I will be able to stop taking this drug once the seizures stop.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Good dental care is necessary to prevent gingival hypertrophy during therapy with phenytoin. Alcohol and other central nervous system depressants may cause severe sedation. Consistent dosing is important to maintain therapeutic drug levels. Therapy with AEDs usually must continue for life and must not be stopped once seizures stop.
When teaching a patient about taking a newly prescribed antiepileptic drug (AED) at home, the nurse will include which instruction?
- A. Driving is allowed after 2 weeks of therapy.
- B. If seizures recur, take a double dose of the medication.
- C. Antacids can be taken with the AED to reduce gastrointestinal adverse effects.
- D. Take the drug at the same time every day.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Consistent dosing, taken regularly at the same time of day, at the recommended dose, and with meals to reduce the common gastrointestinal adverse effects, is the key to successful management of seizures when taking AEDs. The other options are not correct statements.
A 9-year-old child will be receiving carbamazepine suspension, 200 mg twice daily. The medication is available in a strength of 100 mg/5 mL. Identify how many milliliters the nurse will give to the patient for each dose.
Correct Answer: 10 mL
Rationale: 100 mg : 5 mL :: 200 mg : x mL; (100 * x) = (5 * 200); 100x = 1000; x = 10 mL/dose.