A patient is experiencing status epilepticus. Which medication should the nurse expect to be prescribed for this patient?
1. lorazepam (Ativan) IV
2. oral glucose
3. phenytoin (Dilantin) orally
4. gabapentin (Neurontin) and lamotrigine (Lamictal)
Correct Answer: 1
Lorazepam (Ativan) can be used IV to stop the seizure and is an appropriate treatment order. No drug would be given orally during status epilepticus, although glucose IV would be appropriate. The drug needs to be given IV in this situation, and phenytoin (Dilantin) could be an option if ordered IV. The type of drug therapy used to treat epilepsy uses only one drug at a time.
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