The nurse is caring for a client with a new diagnosis of epilepsy who is prescribed phenytoin. Which teaching point should the nurse emphasize?
Avoid alcohol consumption
Increase calcium intake
Limit physical activity
Reduce fluid intake
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason: Avoiding alcohol is critical with phenytoin, as it increases seizure risk and alters drug metabolism, reducing efficacy or causing toxicity. Alcohol’s CNS depressant effects exacerbate epilepsy, making this the priority teaching point to ensure seizure control and medication safety.
Choice B reason: Increasing calcium intake is unrelated to phenytoin or epilepsy management. While phenytoin may affect bone health long-term, alcohol avoidance is more urgent, as it directly impacts seizure control and drug pharmacokinetics, making it the priority teaching focus.
Choice C reason: Limiting physical activity is unnecessary for epilepsy unless seizures are poorly controlled. Alcohol avoidance is critical, as it lowers the seizure threshold and interferes with phenytoin metabolism, posing immediate risks to seizure control, making it the primary teaching point.
Choice D reason: Reducing fluid intake is irrelevant to phenytoin or epilepsy. Proper hydration supports health, but alcohol avoidance is the priority, as it directly affects seizure risk and phenytoin’s effectiveness, ensuring therapeutic levels and preventing breakthrough seizures in epilepsy management.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: Limiting potassium-rich foods is critical in chronic kidney disease, as impaired renal excretion causes hyperkalemia, risking cardiac arrhythmias. Foods like bananas and oranges are restricted to maintain safe potassium levels, making this the priority dietary teaching to prevent life-threatening complications.
Choice B reason: Increasing protein intake is inappropriate, as chronic kidney disease requires protein restriction to reduce uremic toxins and kidney workload. Potassium restriction is prioritized, as hyperkalemia poses an immediate cardiac risk, making it the essential dietary focus over protein adjustments.
Choice C reason: Restricting carbohydrates is not standard in chronic kidney disease unless diabetes is present. Potassium restriction is critical, as elevated potassium levels from impaired renal clearance cause arrhythmias, making it the priority dietary intervention to ensure cardiac safety.
Choice D reason: Encouraging high-sodium foods is incorrect, as sodium restriction prevents fluid retention and hypertension in chronic kidney disease. Potassium restriction is the priority, as hyperkalemia directly threatens cardiac function, making it the essential dietary focus over sodium concerns.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Throat irritation is a common albuterol side effect due to its deposition in the oropharynx during inhalation. It is not life-threatening and can be managed with rinsing or spacer use. This does not require immediate intervention compared to cardiovascular effects, as it does not compromise vital organ function.
Choice B reason: Uncontrollable shaking (tremors) is a frequent albuterol side effect, resulting from beta-2 receptor stimulation in skeletal muscles. It is usually transient and benign, not requiring immediate intervention. Monitoring is sufficient unless severe, as it does not pose an acute threat compared to cardiac irregularities.
Choice C reason: An irregular rapid heart rate (tachycardia or arrhythmia) is a serious albuterol side effect, as beta-2 agonists can stimulate beta-1 receptors in the heart, causing cardiovascular instability. This warrants immediate intervention, as it risks cardiac compromise, especially in emphysema patients with compromised respiratory and cardiac reserves.
Choice D reason: Increased anxiety is a possible albuterol side effect due to its stimulatory effects on the central nervous system. While distressing, it is not immediately life-threatening. It requires monitoring but is secondary to cardiovascular complications, which pose a greater acute risk in emphysema patients with wheezing.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
