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 C
Explanation
Choice C rationale
Dimming the lights and reducing stimulation can be an effective nursing intervention for a patient with herpes simplex virus encephalitis who is complaining of a headache. Bright lights and excessive noise can exacerbate headaches, so creating a quiet, dimly lit environment can help to alleviate this symptom.
Choice A rationale
While administering hydromorphone as needed can help to manage the patient’s pain, it does not directly address the patient’s complaint of a headache. Moreover, opioids like hydromorphone can have side effects such as drowsiness and constipation, which may not be desirable in a patient with encephalitis.
Choice B rationale
Distracting the patient with activity may not be appropriate for a patient with herpes simplex virus encephalitis who is complaining of a headache. Rest and quiet are often more beneficial for these patients.
Choice D rationale
Initiating a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) of morphine sulfate can provide effective pain relief for some patients, but it may not be the best first-line approach for a patient with a headache due to herpes simplex virus encephalitis. Like hydromorphone, morphine can have side effects such as drowsiness and constipation.
Correct Answer is ["56"]
Explanation
Step 1 is to calculate the total drops per hour. This is done by multiplying the total volume of the solution by the drop factor and then dividing by the total time in minutes. So, (1000 mL × 10 gtt/mL) ÷ 180 min = 55.56 gtt/min. The final calculated answer is approximately 56 gtt/min when rounded to the nearest whole number.
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