A parent says to the nurse, "The doctor prescribed ethosuximide (Zarontin) for my child, who has absence seizures. What does this mean?" Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

Question

1. "Absence seizures are basically the same kind of seizures as grand mal, but they are less frequent."
2. "Your child's seizures manifest as a staring into space for a few seconds. Ethosuximide (Zarontin) is a good medication for this type of seizure."
3. "Explaining the types of seizure activity is complicated. Have you spoken to your doctor about it?"
4. "Are you sure your doctor prescribed ethosuximide (Zarontin)? Phenobarbital is used more frequently with children."

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Grand mal or tonic–clonic seizures are different from absence or petite mal seizures; they are different forms of epilepsy.
Rationale 2: Absence seizures, formerly known as petit mal, last a few seconds and are seen most often in children. Ethosuximide (Zarontin) is a drug of choice for this type of seizure disorder.
Rationale 3: It is the responsibility of the RN to educate the client, not just refer questions to the health care provider.
Rationale 4: Ethosuximide (Zarontin), not phenobarbital, is the drug of choice for absence seizures.
Global Rationale: Absence seizures, formerly known as petit mal, last a few seconds and are seen most often in children. Ethosuximide (Zarontin) is a drug of choice for this type of seizure disorder. Grand mal or tonic–clonic seizures are different from absence or petite mal seizures; they are different forms of epilepsy. It is the responsibility of the RN to educate the client, not just refer questions to the health care provider. Ethosuximide (Zarontin), not phenobarbital, is the drug of choice for absence seizures.