Summary
Summary ( 14 Questions)
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for valproic acid to treat seizures. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the teaching?¹
This instruction is important because valproic acid can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea as common side effects³⁴. Taking the medication with food can help reduce these gastrointestinal symptoms and improve the patient's tolerance and adherence to the treatment. The other choices are incorrect for the following reasons:
This instruction is important because valproic acid can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea as common side effects³⁴. Taking the medication with food can help reduce these gastrointestinal symptoms and improve the patient's tolerance and adherence to the treatment. The other choices are incorrect for the following reasons:
This instruction is important because valproic acid can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea as common side effects³⁴. Taking the medication with food can help reduce these gastrointestinal symptoms and improve the patient's tolerance and adherence to the treatment. The other choices are incorrect for the following reasons:
This instruction is important because valproic acid can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea as common side effects³⁴. Taking the medication with food can help reduce these gastrointestinal symptoms and improve the patient's tolerance and adherence to the treatment. The other choices are incorrect for the following reasons:
This instruction is important because valproic acid can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea as common side effects³⁴. Taking the medication with food can help reduce these gastrointestinal symptoms and improve the patient's tolerance and adherence to the treatment. The other choices are incorrect for the following reasons:
- B. "Avoid driving until the medication level is therapeutic". This instruction is unnecessary because valproic acid does not impair driving performance or increase the risk of accidents¹. The patient can drive safely as long as they do not experience drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision from the medication.
- C. "Drink at least 3 L of fluid per day". This instruction is excessive because valproic acid does not cause dehydration or fluid loss¹. The patient should drink enough fluids to stay hydrated, but not more than their normal intake.
- D. "Report any bruising or bleeding to the provider". This instruction is irrelevant because valproic acid does not affect blood clotting or increase the risk of bleeding¹. The patient should report any bruising or bleeding to the provider only if they have other conditions or medications that may cause these problems.