A patient is experiencing status epileptics. The nurse anticipates immediate administration of which drug?
Diazepam
Phenobarbital
Valproic acid
Phenytoin
The Correct Answer is A
A) Diazepam
Diazepam (a benzodiazepine) is the first-line treatment for status epilepticus, especially in emergency situations. It works by quickly calming overactive electrical activity in the brain and can be administered intravenously for rapid effect. Diazepam is commonly given as an initial treatment due to its fast onset of action in stopping seizures.
B) Phenobarbital
Phenobarbital is an anticonvulsant that can also be used for seizures, but it is typically used in cases where seizures persist after initial treatment, or as a long-term maintenance therapy. It is not the first-line drug for status epilepticus and is typically administered after other options like diazepam have been tried.
C) Valproic acid
Valproic acid is an anticonvulsant used for chronic seizure management (like for generalized seizures and some focal seizures), but it is not typically used as the immediate treatment in status epilepticus. It may be used in the long-term management or when other drugs fail, but diazepam or lorazepam are preferred for immediate control of seizures.
D) Phenytoin
Phenytoin is another commonly used anticonvulsant, but it has a slower onset of action compared to benzodiazepines like diazepam. While phenytoin is often used for long-term seizure prevention, it is not the most immediate choice in an emergency setting. After initial seizure control with a benzodiazepine, phenytoin may be given for continued seizure prevention.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A) "If I develop new symptoms like severe diarrhea, I should ignore them and finish the antibiotics."
New symptoms like severe diarrhea, especially if it is watery or bloody, can be a sign of a superinfection, such as Clostridium difficile (C. diff), which is associated with antibiotic use. It is essential for the client to report these symptoms to their healthcare provider immediately. Ignoring such symptoms can lead to serious complications.
B) "I need to finish all my antibiotics and report any unusual symptoms like a white coating on my tongue to my doctor."
Completing the full course of antibiotics is crucial to fully eradicate the infection and prevent the development of antibiotic resistance. The white coating on the tongue could indicate a fungal superinfection, such as oral thrush, which requires medical attention. This statement demonstrates an understanding of the importance of finishing antibiotics and recognizing potential side effects or superinfections.
C) "It is okay to share my antibiotics with family members if they have similar symptoms to mine."
Antibiotics should never be shared with others, even if they have similar symptoms. The antibiotics prescribed to a client are tailored to treat their specific infection, and taking the wrong antibiotic can lead to ineffective treatment, drug resistance, or adverse reactions. Sharing medication is dangerous and illegal.
D) "I should stop taking the antibiotics as soon as I feel better to avoid any side effects."
It is important to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if the client starts feeling better before the course is finished. Stopping antibiotics prematurely can result in the infection not being fully treated, leading to a relapse or the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
The order directly states that the infusion rate is 30 mL/hr.
The information about the amount of Lidocaine (2 g) and the volume of D5W (250 mL) is irrelevant to determining the flow rate in this case.
The flow rate is already specified as 30 mL/hr in the order.
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