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 A
Explanation
Given:
Value in grams: 5,524 g
To convert grams to kilograms, we need to divide the value by 1000.
Step 1: Divide the value by 1000:
5,524 g / 1000 = 5.524 kg
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A) Transdermal patch:
Transdermal patches are designed for slow, continuous delivery of medication through the skin over a long period of time, typically 24 hours. Although they provide steady medication levels, they do not offer a rapid onset of action. This route is more suitable for long-term control of conditions like angina but is not the fastest for immediate relief.
B) Topical ointment:
Topical ointments are applied to the skin and absorb slowly. While they may have local effects, they are not used for quick systemic effects. In the case of nitroglycerin, topical ointments are generally used for sustained release over several hours and are not intended for immediate relief of chest pain.
C) Suspended release:
Suspended release formulations are designed to release the drug slowly over time. Like transdermal patches, these formulations are meant for long-term management, not for rapid onset. A suspended release formulation of nitroglycerin would not provide the immediate relief that is typically needed in cases of acute angina or chest pain.
D) Sublingual:
The sublingual route provides the most rapid onset of action for nitroglycerin. When nitroglycerin is placed under the tongue, it is absorbed directly into the bloodstream through the mucous membranes of the mouth. This bypasses the digestive system and the liver (first-pass metabolism), allowing the drug to take effect quickly—usually within 1 to 3 minutes—making it ideal for acute relief of chest pain or angina. This route is commonly used for emergencies when rapid relief is needed.
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