The nurse is preparing discharge instructions for a patient with a history of diabetes who has just been diagnosed with seizure disorder. The patient has been prescribed hydantoin therapy. What will the patient most likely experience?

A. Placing padding around or under the patient's head

This is a helpful instruction to include. Placing padding around or under the patient's head can help prevent injury during a seizure by cushioning the head against impact with the ground.

B. Positioning the patient on the side once the relaxation stage is entered to allow oral secretions to drain

This is a correct instruction. Positioning the patient on their side (recovery position) can help prevent aspiration if vomiting occurs during or after the seizure. It also helps clear oral secretions and maintain a clear airway.

C. Having the necessary equipment and/or personnel in case the patient doesn't spontaneously breathe when the seizure is over

This is an important instruction. It is crucial to have emergency equipment (such as oxygen and suction) readily available and to be prepared to provide respiratory support if the patient does not spontaneously breathe after the seizure.

D. Inserting a tongue depressor in the patient's mouth

This is an incorrect instruction. It is not recommended to insert anything into the patient's mouth during a seizure as it can cause injury to the teeth, gums, or airway. Additionally, it is a common misconception that tongue swallowing occurs during seizures, which is rare.

E. Noting the time the seizure started

This is a critical instruction. Noting the time the seizure started helps healthcare providers assess the duration of the seizure and determine if medical intervention is necessary. It also helps monitor the patient's recovery and response to treatment.

F. Holding the patient down to prevent injury

This is an incorrect instruction. Holding the patient down during a seizure can cause injury to both the patient and the person restraining them. It is important to create a safe environment by removing hazards and guiding the patient away from dangerous objects or situations, but holding them down is not appropriate.

A. Difficulty initiating speech

This is a characteristic symptom of expressive aphasia. Individuals with expressive aphasia have difficulty initiating speech and may produce speech that is slow, effortful, and lacking in grammatical structure.

B. Difficulty understanding the written and spoken word

This symptom is not typically associated with expressive aphasia. Instead, difficulty understanding language, both written and spoken, is more commonly seen in receptive aphasia, also known as Wernicke's aphasia.

C. Total inability to communicate

While expressive aphasia can severely impair verbal communication, it does not result in a total inability to communicate. Individuals with expressive aphasia may still be able to communicate to some extent using nonverbal means, gestures, or writing.

D. Stuttering and spitting

Stuttering and spitting are not characteristic symptoms of expressive aphasia. Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by interruptions in the flow of speech, while spitting is not typically associated with aphasia.