Outcomes of Anticonvulsant Therapy and Seizure Management
Outcomes of Anticonvulsant Therapy and Seizure Management ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is caring for a patient who has a history of absence seizures. The patient suddenly stops talking and stares blankly into space for a few seconds. What is the nurse's best action?
This is an appropriate action because absence seizures involve brief, sudden lapses of consciousness that last for a few seconds¹²³. The patient may stare blankly into space, stop talking, or stop moving during the seizure¹²³. The nurse should protect the patient from injury by guiding them to a safe place, such as a chair or a bed, and staying with them until they regain awareness¹²³. The nurse should also observe and document the time, duration, and type of seizure¹²³.
This is an appropriate action because absence seizures involve brief, sudden lapses of consciousness that last for a few seconds¹²³. The patient may stare blankly into space, stop talking, or stop moving during the seizure¹²³. The nurse should protect the patient from injury by guiding them to a safe place, such as a chair or a bed, and staying with them until they regain awareness¹²³. The nurse should also observe and document the time, duration, and type of seizure¹²³.
This is an appropriate action because absence seizures involve brief, sudden lapses of consciousness that last for a few seconds¹²³. The patient may stare blankly into space, stop talking, or stop moving during the seizure¹²³. The nurse should protect the patient from injury by guiding them to a safe place, such as a chair or a bed, and staying with them until they regain awareness¹²³. The nurse should also observe and document the time, duration, and type of seizure¹²³.
This is an appropriate action because absence seizures involve brief, sudden lapses of consciousness that last for a few seconds¹²³. The patient may stare blankly into space, stop talking, or stop moving during the seizure¹²³. The nurse should protect the patient from injury by guiding them to a safe place, such as a chair or a bed, and staying with them until they regain awareness¹²³. The nurse should also observe and document the time, duration, and type of seizure¹²³.
This is an appropriate action because absence seizures involve brief, sudden lapses of consciousness that last for a few seconds¹²³. The patient may stare blankly into space, stop talking, or stop moving during the seizure¹²³. The nurse should protect the patient from injury by guiding them to a safe place, such as a chair or a bed, and staying with them until they regain awareness¹²³. The nurse should also observe and document the time, duration, and type of seizure¹²³.
The other actions by the nurse are incorrect and indicate a need for further education.
- Choice A is wrong because calling for help and preparing to administer rescue medication is not necessary for absence seizures. Absence seizures are usually harmless and do not cause physical injury or complications¹²³. They do not require emergency treatment or rescue medication, unless they occur in clusters or last longer than 15 seconds¹²³.
- Choice C is wrong because shaking the patient and asking them if they are okay is not helpful for absence seizures. Shaking the patient may startle them or cause injury, and asking them questions may confuse them or increase their anxiety¹²³. The patient is not aware of their surroundings or able to respond during the seizure¹²³. The nurse should avoid touching or talking to the patient unnecessarily during the seizure¹²³.
- Choice D is wrong because documenting the time, duration, and type of seizure in the patient's chart is not the best action. Documenting the seizure is important, but it should not be done before ensuring the patient's safety and comfort¹²³. The nurse should document the seizure after it ends and after checking the patient's vital signs and level of consciousness¹²³.