The young child has absence seizures. The physician has prescribed valproic acid (Depakene) syrup. The nurse has completed medication education with the child's mother and determines that learning has occurred when the mother makes which statement?
1. "I should not mix this with carbonated beverages."
2. "If my child gets a headache from this, I can administer a baby aspirin."
3. "I can still give the clonazepam (Klonopin) prescribed by the psychiatrist for sleep."
4. "I can give this on a full stomach or an empty stomach."
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Mixing valproic acid (Depakene) syrup with carbonated beverages will trigger immediate release of the drug, which causes severe mouth and throat irritation. Valproic acid (Depakene) is a gastrointestinal (GI) irritant and should be given with food. Aspirin can increase valproic acid (Depakene) toxicity, and aspirin should not be given to children because of Reye syndrome. Clonazepam (Klonopin) given with valproic acid (Depakene) can induce absence seizures.
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