The nurse is administering prescribed medication to a client experiencing status epilepticus. Which of the following medications should the nurse question?
fosphenytoin (Cerebyx)
lorazepam (Ativan)
phenobarbital (Luminol)
diazepam (Valium)
The Correct Answer is A
A. Fosphenytoin (Cerebyx) is correct to question as an initial treatment in status epilepticus. While fosphenytoin is used to prevent further seizures once initial control is achieved, it does not act quickly enough to stop active seizures. Therefore, it is not the first-line medication during the acute phase and should be questioned if ordered as the initial intervention.
B. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine and is one of the first-line treatments for status epilepticus due to its rapid onset of action.
C. Phenobarbital can be used if benzodiazepines and phenytoin/fosphenytoin fail to control seizures, making it an appropriate option in refractory cases.
D. Diazepam is also a benzodiazepine effective for the acute management of status epilepticus, typically administered intravenously or rectally for rapid effect.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. While vasodilation can contribute to some types of headaches, such as migraines, cranial arteritis (also known as temporal arteritis) is not primarily caused by vasodilation.
B. Cranial arteritis is an inflammatory condition affecting the lining of the arteries, particularly the temporal arteries. The inflammation causes the headache and can lead to serious complications like vision loss if not treated promptly with corticosteroids.
C. Muscle tension is the typical cause of tension-type headaches, not cranial arteritis.
D. A brain tumor may cause headaches, but it is not the mechanism behind cranial arteritis. Cranial arteritis is a vascular inflammatory disorder.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Donepezil (Aricept) does not stop or cure Alzheimer's disease. It helps to manage symptoms, but it does not halt the progression of the disease. The disease will still progress, but the medication may help improve cognitive function and slow down symptom deterioration temporarily.
B. Donepezil may take several weeks to months to show any noticeable effects. Immediate improvements in cognitive function are unlikely, and it should not be expected to cause quick or dramatic changes in thinking.
C. Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor that works by increasing acetylcholine levels in the brain, which helps to improve communication between nerve cells. It helps manage the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, such as memory loss and confusion, but does not cure or prevent the disease.
D. Donepezil works by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. By doing this, it helps increase the availability of acetylcholine in the brain, rather than slowing its uptake. This increased availability can help improve cognitive function in people with Alzheimer's disease.
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