A patient is brought to the emergency department experiencing an active seizure. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering as the first- line treatment to stop the seizure?

A. "I'll dial 911 if I still have pain after taking 3 nitroglycerin tablets 5 minutes apart.": While this reflects part of the correct sequence, waiting until all 3 doses are taken before seeking emergency help may delay life-saving treatment. Emergency services should be contacted sooner if the first dose is ineffective.
B. "I'll dial 911 if I still have pain after taking 4 nitroglycerin tablets over a 20-minute period.": This exceeds the recommended maximum of three sublingual nitroglycerin tablets within 15 minutes. Taking more than advised can increase the risk of hypotension and other complications.
C. "I'll dial 911 if 1 nitroglycerin tablet does not relieve my pain, and then take up to 2 more tablets 5 minutes apart while waiting.": This is the correct protocol. If chest pain persists after the first dose, the patient should immediately call 911 and may continue with up to two additional doses, each 5 minutes apart, while waiting for emergency responders.
D. "I'll dial 911 when I have pain and then take the nitroglycerin tablets.": Calling 911 immediately without trying the medication first may lead to unnecessary emergency activation. The recommended approach is to take the first dose, then call if pain persists after 5 minutes.

• Subcutaneous: A parenteral route where medication is injected into the tissue layer between the skin and muscle. It bypasses the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, allowing for faster absorption of certain medications like insulin or heparin.
• NG Tube: A form of enteral administration that delivers medication directly into the stomach via a nasogastric tube. This route utilizes the GI tract and is often used for patients who cannot swallow.
• Oral: A classic enteral route involving medication taken by mouth and absorbed through the digestive tract. It is the most common and convenient method of drug delivery.
• Rectal: An enteral route that involves administration of medication into the rectum, where it is absorbed by the lower GI tract. It is often used when oral administration is not feasible.
• Intramuscular: A parenteral route where medication is injected into a muscle, offering faster absorption than enteral routes. Common for vaccines and certain pain medications.
• Intravenous: A parenteral route that delivers medication directly into the bloodstream. It provides the most rapid onset of action and is used for critical care, emergencies, and precise dosing.