Anticonvulsant Medications
Anticonvulsant Medications ( 6 Questions)
A nurse is administering an intravenous dose of diazepam (Valium) to a client who is having a status epilepticus episode. What are some important nursing considerations when giving this medication? (Select all that apply.) A. Monitor the client's respiratory rate and oxygen saturation.
ct because diazepam is a benzodiazepine that can cause respiratory depression, especially when given intravenously. The nurse should monitor the client's respiratory rate and oxygen saturation and be prepared to provide respiratory support if needed²⁴. -
ct because diazepam should be diluted with normal saline or dextrose 5% in water before administration to prevent venous irritation and thrombophlebitis. The concentration of diazepam should not exceed 5 mg/mL²⁴. -
ct because diazepam should be injected slowly over at least 3 minutes to avoid adverse effects such as hypotension, bradycardia, cardiac arrest, or apnea. The maximum rate of injection is 5 mg/min²⁴. -
ct because diazepam is incompatible with many other drugs and solutions, and can precipitate or adsorb to plastic tubing. The nurse should flush the IV line with normal saline before and after administration to prevent drug interactions and ensure complete delivery of the medication²⁴. -
Choice A is correct because diazepam is a benzodiazepine that can cause respiratory depression, especially when given intravenously. The nurse should monitor the client's respiratory rate and oxygen saturation and be prepared to provide respiratory support if needed²⁴.
- Choice B is correct because diazepam should be diluted with normal saline or dextrose 5% in water before administration to prevent venous irritation and thrombophlebitis. The concentration of diazepam should not exceed 5 mg/mL²⁴.
- Choice C is correct because diazepam should be injected slowly over at least 3 minutes to avoid adverse effects such as hypotension, bradycardia, cardiac arrest, or apnea. The maximum rate of injection is 5 mg/min²⁴.
- Choice D is correct because diazepam is incompatible with many other drugs and solutions, and can precipitate or adsorb to plastic tubing. The nurse should flush the IV line with normal saline before and after administration to prevent drug interactions and ensure complete delivery of the medication²⁴.
- Choice E is wrong because repeating the dose of diazepam every 15 minutes until seizure activity stops is not recommended. Diazepam has a short duration of action and can accumulate in the body with repeated doses, increasing the risk of toxicity and respiratory depression. If seizures persist after the initial dose of diazepam, the nurse should start emergency IV antiepileptic drug therapy with levetiracetam, sodium valproate, or phenytoin³⁶.
