A nurse is preparing to administer lithium 300 mg PO to a client who has bipolar disorder. Available is lithium 150 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

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.

Given:

Ordered volume of Isomil: 12 oz

Step 1: Determine the volume of Isomil needed for 1/4 strength:

Volume of Isomil for 1/4 strength = Original volume x (1/4)

Volume of Isomil for 1/4 strength = 12 oz x (1/4)

Volume of Isomil for 1/4 strength = 3 oz

Step 2: Calculate the volume of solvent (water) needed:

Solvent volume = Original volume - Volume of Isomil for 1/4 strength

Solvent volume = 12 oz - 3 oz

Solvent volume = 9 oz

Step 3: Convert ounces to milliliters:

1 oz = 29.5735 mL

Solvent volume (mL) = 9 oz x 29.5735 mL/oz

Solvent volume (mL) = 266.1615 mL

Step 4: Round to the nearest whole number:

Solvent volume (mL) ≈ 270 mL