The nurse is caring for a client who is in status epilepticus.
What medication should the nurse anticipate administering to halt the seizure immediately?
Intravenous diazepam
Oral lorazepam
Oral phenytoin
Intravenous phenobarbital
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A rationale
Status epilepticus is a medical emergency characterized by continuous or rapid-fire seizures. Intravenous diazepam is one of the first-line treatments for this condition. It works by enhancing the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity, thereby helping to stop the seizure.
Choice B rationale
Oral lorazepam is not typically used to halt a seizure immediately due to its slower onset of action compared to intravenous administration.
Choice C rationale
Oral phenytoin is not typically used to halt a seizure immediately. It is more commonly used for the long-term management of seizures.
Choice D rationale
Intravenous phenobarbital is a second-line treatment for status epilepticus, used when first- line treatments such as diazepam are ineffective.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice B rationale
Patients who experience severe cluster headaches should be instructed to take medications as soon as they sense the onset of symptoms. Cluster headaches are characterized by severe, debilitating pain that reaches peak intensity within a short period of time, often within 15 minutes. Therefore, early intervention is crucial to manage the pain effectively.
Choice A rationale
Waiting twenty to thirty minutes after the onset of symptoms to take medications may not be effective for cluster headaches. The pain of a cluster headache often reaches peak intensity within 15 minutes, so delaying medication could result in unnecessary suffering.
Choice C rationale
Waiting until the patient’s pain becomes unbearable is not recommended for managing cluster headaches. The goal of treatment is to prevent or reduce pain, not to wait until it becomes unbearable.
Choice D rationale
Taking medications when the patient senses their symptoms are peaking is not the most effective strategy for managing cluster headaches. Given the rapid onset and severe pain associated with cluster headaches, medications should be taken as soon as the patient senses the onset of symptoms.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Respiratory acidosis is characterized by a low pH (less than 7.35), a high PaCO2 (greater than 45 mm Hg), and a normal or high HCO3 (22-26 mEq/L). It occurs when there is a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood due to impaired ventilation.
The patient's ABGs do not align with respiratory acidosis because the pH is elevated (7.6), and the PaCO2 is within the normal range (40 mm Hg).
Choice B rationale:
Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by a high pH (greater than 7.45), a low PaCO2 (less than 35 mm Hg), and a normal or low HCO3 (22-26 mEq/L). It occurs when there is excessive loss of carbon dioxide through hyperventilation.
The patient's ABGs do not align with respiratory alkalosis because the HCO3 is elevated (32 mEq/L), which is not typical for this condition.
Choice C rationale:
Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a low pH (less than 7.35), a normal or low PaCO2 (less than 40 mm Hg), and a low HCO3 (less than 22 mEq/L). It occurs when there is an excess of acid in the body or a loss of bicarbonate.
The patient's ABGs do not align with metabolic acidosis because the pH is elevated (7.6), and the HCO3 is elevated (32 mEq/L).
Choice D rationale:
Metabolic alkalosis is characterized by a high pH (greater than 7.45), a normal or high PaCO2 (40-45 mm Hg), and an elevated HCO3 (greater than 26 mEq/L). It occurs when there is an excess of bicarbonate in the body or a loss of acid.
The patient's ABGs align with metabolic alkalosis because of the high pH (7.6), normal PaCO2 (40 mm Hg), and elevated HCO3 (32 mEq/L).
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