The nurse is caring for a patient who was given a new medical prescription for phenytoin. What would the nurse stress in the discharge instructions regarding this medication?

"Use a cane or walker when you begin to have difficulty walking."

"Adjust the dose depending upon observed seizure activity."

"You will need to have blood levels drawn annually."

"Be sure to have regular visits to the dentist."

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is D

A. While using a cane or walker may be necessary for some patients experiencing balance issues, it is not a specific instruction related to phenytoin.

B. Phenytoin dosages should not be adjusted solely based on observed seizure activity; the dose must be managed carefully based on serum drug levels and the clinician's guidance.

C. Patients on phenytoin typically require more frequent monitoring of blood levels (every 2-3 months initially) rather than annually, as maintaining therapeutic levels is essential to avoid toxicity or ineffective seizure control.

D. Regular dental visits are crucial for patients taking phenytoin because the medication can cause gingival hyperplasia (overgrowth of gum tissue), which necessitates careful dental hygiene and regular monitoring by a dentist to prevent complications.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. Touching a patient’s shoulder does not pose a risk of HIV transmission, as it is not spread through casual skin contact.

B. While recapping needles is discouraged due to the risk of needlestick injury, it is not an exposure unless an actual needlestick occurs.

C. Not wearing a mask is typically not necessary in all interactions with HIV/AIDS patients unless there is an active infection requiring airborne precautions.

D. Exposure of bodily fluids to mucous membranes (such as the eyes) is a significant occupational exposure risk and should be reported. This requires immediate response and evaluation for potential infection.

A. after the client has an electroencephalogram (EEG)." B. due to having minimal risk for infection." C. by threading it through the femoral artery to the brain." D. to monitor intracranial pressure (ICP) and drain the cerebral spinal fluid."

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. EEG is a monitoring tool for brain activity, but it is not a prerequisite for ventriculostomy placement.

B. While the procedure is carefully managed to reduce infection risk, ventriculostomy does have an infection risk due to its invasive nature.

C. Ventriculostomy is not inserted via the femoral artery; it is placed directly in the brain’s ventricles.

D. A ventriculostomy is used to monitor ICP and allows for the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid, which helps in managing elevated ICP in patients with brain injuries.

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The nurse is caring for a patient who was given a new medical prescription for phenytoin. What would the nurse stress in the discharge instructions regarding this medication?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

Which situation should be reported to the nursing supervisor as an exposure for the nurse caring for a patient diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)? The nurse

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is educating on the placement of a ventriculostomy (intraventricular catheter) to the patient diagnosed with a brain injury and their family. The nurse states, "The ventriculostomy is placed:

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

The nurse is caring for a patient who was given a new medical prescription for phenytoin. What would the nurse stress in the discharge instructions regarding this medication?

A 24-year-old patient who is an intravenous drug user asks the nurse about preventing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The nurse informs the patient that the risk of developing the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection from drug use can be reduced by:

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A nurse is assigned a patient diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Which type of precaution should be used when providing direct care?

Which behavior(s) by the patient diagnosed with a chronic head injury would the nurse expect to find?

The nurse is caring for a patient with a spinal cord injury who has a flaccid or atonic bladder. The nurse would provide discharge education to the patient and family regarding which bladder management technique?

A patient is admitted to the Emergency Department (ED). The nurse documents "postictal upon transfer" as evidenced by which observation?

The nurse is caring for a patient with an acute brain injury. Which of the following sets of vital signs would concern the nurse about increasing intracranial pressure (ICP)?