Seizure types
This seizure involves brief staring spells lasting 3–5 seconds and is common in children.
What is an absence seizure?
This benzodiazepine is first-line treatment for status epilepticus
What is diazepam?
This antiseizure medication causes gingival hyperplasia (overgrown gums).
What is phenytoin?
This level range is considered therapeutic for phenytoin.
What is 10–20 mcg/mL?
A seizure lasting 6 minutes requires this immediate classification.
What is status epilepticus?
This type of seizure affects one area of the brain and may cause sensory changes or repetitive movements.
What is a focal (partial) seizure?
This antiseizure medication class includes phenytoin (Dilantin).
What are hydantoins?
This serious skin reaction associated with carbamazepine can be life-threatening.
What is Stevens-Johnson syndrome?
Patients taking carbamazepine should avoid this common breakfast juice.
What is grapefruit juice?
A patient taking phenytoin reports reddish-brown urine. This is:
What is a normal side effect?
This condition occurs when seizures last longer than 5 minutes or occur repeatedly without recovery.
What is status epilepticus?
This medication works by increasing the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA.
What is valproic acid?
This adverse effect of phenobarbital involves suppressed breathing.
What is respiratory depression?
Patients should never do this when taking antiseizure medications because it can trigger rebound seizures.
What is stop the medication abruptly?
A patient taking carbamazepine develops a rash with blisters. The nurse should:
What is notify the provider immediately?
These seizures involve bilateral convulsive muscle contractions and are commonly called grand mal seizures.
What are generalized tonic-clonic seizures?
This antiseizure drug blocks sodium and calcium channels to stop action potentials.
What is carbamazepine?
This organ toxicity must be monitored when patients take valproic acid.
What is liver toxicity?
This antidote reverses benzodiazepine overdose.
What is flumazenil?
A patient receiving phenobarbital becomes difficult to arouse. The nurse should assess this first.
What is respiratory status/oxygen saturation?
A seizure where the patient may experience smells, hallucinations, or unusual sensations before motor symptoms.
What is a focal seizure with sensory symptoms?
This barbiturate antiseizure medication has a slow onset and long duration of action
What is phenobarbital?
This neurological effect of antiseizure medications includes confusion and drowsiness.
What is CNS depression?
Patients taking phenytoin should maintain this to prevent gingival hyperplasia.
What is good oral hygiene?
A patient abruptly stops antiseizure medication. The most likely complication is:
What are rebound seizures?