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Drugs Used for Seizure Disorders > Pharmacology
Exam Review
Practice Exercise 3
Total Questions : 5
Showing 5 questions, Sign in for moreA nurse is reviewing a new prescription for oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) with a female client who has partial seizures. Which of the following statements by the nurse are appropriate? Select all that apply
The nurse is administering valproic acid (Depakote) to a patient. The nurse checks the laboratory values and finds a serum range for valproic acid of 200 mcg/ml. What should the nurse do?
The nurse is caring for a 72-year-old client taking gabapentin (Neurontin) for a seizure disorder. Because of this client’s age, the nurse would establish which nursing diagnosis related to the drug’s common adverse effects?
Teaching for a client receiving carbamazepine (Tegretol) should include instructions that the client should immediately report which symptom?
The nurse is preparing to administer phenobarbital. The order reads: “Give phenobarbital, IV, 2 mg/kg/day at 0900.” The patient weighs 253 pounds. How many milligrams will the patient receive for each dose?
Explanation
A critical part of the nurses’s role involves medication administration. Accurate dosage calculation is a fundamental skill that ensures patient safety and therapeutic efficacy. By carefully converting units and following the healthcare provider's orders, nurses prevent medication errors and this contributes to positive patient outcomes.
Rationale for correct answer:
The step-by-step calculation to determine the phenobarbital dose is as follows:
Step 1: Convert Patient Weight from Pounds to Kilograms
The medication order is based on the patient's weight in kilograms, so you must first convert the patient's weight from pounds (lbs) to kilograms (kg). The conversion factor is 1kg=2.2lbs.
253lbs÷2.2lbs/kg=115kg
Step 2: Calculate the Total Daily Dose
Next, multiply the patient's weight in kilograms by the ordered dose of phenobarbital (2mg/kg/day) to find the total daily dose in milligrams (mg).
115kg×2mg/kg/day=230mg/day
Step 3: Determine the Dose Per Administration
The order specifies to give the medication once daily, so the total daily dose is the same as the dose for each administration.
The patient will receive 230 mg of phenobarbital for each dose.
Take-home points:
- Unit Conversion is essential: 1kg=2.2lbs.
- Double-Check the Calculation
- The basic formula for dosage calculation is: Dose=PatientWeight(kg)×DoseperWeight(mg/kg)
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