The nurse is administering valproic acid to a client for seizures and finds a serum range for valproic acid of 130 mcg/mL. What does the nurse anticipate the provider will do?
Make no changes.
Increase the daily dose.
Change the medication.
Decrease the dose.
The Correct Answer is B
The therapeutic range for valproic acid is 50-100 mcg/mL ¹. In this case, the client has a serum range for valproic acid of 130 mcg/mL, which is above the therapeutic range but below the toxic level of >100 mcg/mL ¹. The nurse would anticipate that the provider will increase the daily dose of valproic acid to bring the serum range within the therapeutic range.
Option A is incorrect because the serum range is above the therapeutic range and changes may be needed.
Option C is incorrect because changing the medication may not be necessary if adjusting the dose can bring the serum range within the therapeutic range.
Option D is incorrect because decreasing the dose would lower the serum range further below the therapeutic range.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Memantine is a medication used to treat moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease ¹². It works by reducing the actions of chemicals in the brain that may contribute to the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease ¹. While memantine can help slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, it is not a cure and may not improve the condition ².
Option A is not correct because constipation is a common side effect of memantine ².
Option B is not correct because memantine is approved for moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease ¹².
Option C is not correct because memantine does regulate the effects of glutamate ³.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Anticholinergic medications can be used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) such as tremors and shuffling gait that can occur as side effects of first-generation antipsychotics ¹².
Option A is not correct because a direct dopamine antagonist would not be used to treat EPS.
Option B is not correct because increasing the dose of the antipsychotic medication could worsen EPS.
Option C is not correct because withholding the medication for two days could lead to a relapse of the underlying condition being treated by the antipsychotic.
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