A parent reports that her child has begun to do poorly at school and experiences episodes where he appears to be staring into space. Of which type of seizure is this behavior a characteristic?

Absence.

Akinetic.

Myoclonic.

Complex partial.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

Choice A reason: Absence seizures involve brief episodes of staring into space, often with subtle blinking or lip smacking, lasting 5–20 seconds. Common in children, they impair attention, leading to poor school performance, as the brain’s electrical activity briefly disrupts consciousness without motor convulsions.
Choice B reason: Akinetic seizures involve sudden loss of muscle tone, causing falls or head drops, not staring spells. They do not typically affect school performance through inattention, as they are brief and motor-focused, not cognitive disruptions.
Choice C reason: Myoclonic seizures cause sudden, brief muscle jerks, often in the arms or legs, without loss of consciousness. They differ from staring spells and are less likely to directly impact school performance through inattention or cognitive lapses.
Choice D reason: Complex partial seizures involve altered consciousness with automatisms (e.g., lip smacking, picking at clothes), not just staring. They are less common in children and typically cause more

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Correct Answer is B

Explanation

Choice A reason: Placing the client in a high-Fowler position may improve breathing but does not assess the cause of shortness of breath. Post-femur repair, pulmonary embolism (PE) is a risk due to fat emboli or thromboembolism, requiring objective data like oxygen saturation first.
Choice B reason: New-onset shortness of breath and tachypnea post-femur repair suggest possible pulmonary embolism or fat embolism syndrome. Documenting oxygen saturation provides objective data to assess hypoxia severity, guiding urgent interventions and communication with the healthcare provider for suspected life-threatening conditions.
Choice C reason: Starting oxygen therapy assumes hypoxia without confirmation. While it may be needed, assessing oxygen saturation first ensures the intervention is appropriate. Unwarranted oxygen administration could delay critical diagnostic steps for conditions like pulmonary embolism, which require anticoagulation or other therapies.
Choice D reason: Contacting the provider is important but secondary to assessing oxygen saturation, which provides critical data to report. Without objective findings, the nurse cannot convey the urgency or specifics of the client’s condition, potentially delaying life-saving interventions for suspected embolism.

A. To prevent complications, I will drink at least 2 liters of water daily. B. This medication will stop me from getting an aura before a seizure. C. I will not drive a motor vehicle while taking this medication. D. Even when my seizures stop, I will continue to take this drug.

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

Choice A reason: Drinking 2 liters of water daily supports general health but is not specific to phenytoin therapy. It does not prevent complications like gingival hyperplasia or hepatotoxicity, which are more directly related to phenytoin’s pharmacological effects and monitoring needs.
Choice B reason: Phenytoin does not eliminate seizure auras, which are sensory warnings due to focal cortical activity. It stabilizes neuronal membranes via sodium channel blockade, reducing seizure frequency but not preventing prodromal symptoms like auras.
Choice C reason: Not driving is appropriate, as phenytoin can cause dizziness or ataxia, impairing motor coordination. However, this is a safety precaution, not the most comprehensive indicator of understanding the need for long-term adherence to prevent seizure recurrence.
Choice D reason: Continuing phenytoin even after seizures stop is critical, as abrupt cessation can cause rebound seizures due to unopposed neuronal excitability. This reflects understanding of lifelong therapy needs for status epilepticus to maintain seizure control and prevent recurrence.

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A parent reports that her child has begun to do poorly at school and experiences episodes where he appears to be staring into space. Of which type of seizure is this behavior a characteristic?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A client who had a surgical fractured femur repair reports new-onset shortness of breath and increased respirations. What is the nurse’s first action?

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

After teaching a client who is diagnosed with new-onset status epilepticus and prescribed phenytoin (Dilantin), the nurse assesses the client’s understanding. Which statement by the client indicates a correct understanding of the teaching?

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

On entering the room of a child in Buck’s traction, the nurse makes all of the following observations. Which observation requires a nursing intervention?

A nurse is performing discharge teaching for a client who has seizures and a new prescription for phenytoin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?

A nurse working on a medical unit is caring for a client who is prescribed seizure precautions. Which of the following interventions should the nurse include in the client’s plan of care?

A nurse teaches assistive personnel about providing hygiene for a client in traction. Which statement would the nurse include as part of the teaching about this client’s care?

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