A nurse is completing a discharge plan for a 24-year-old woman who has been prescribed an antiepileptic drug. What is the priority for teaching the patient about this drug?
a. "If you stop taking the medication all of a sudden, an unpleasant, acute withdrawal syndrome is likely to occur."
b. "You may stop taking this drug when you have had no seizures for 1 full year."
c. "Let's talk about what kind of contraception you plan to use while you are taking this medication."
d. "I know it's depressing to have to take a drug for the rest of your life, but you absolutely may not ever stop taking it."
ANS: C
Because antiepilepsy drugs can harm the fetus, managing epilepsy during pregnancy is a challenge. It is most appropriate for the patient to understand the risks involved, and she should be counseled about the use of contraceptives, which may also have drug-to-drug interactions with the antiepilepsy drugs.
It is important for the patient to understand that withdrawal may occur if the drug is discontinued abruptly; however, because this patient is of childbearing age, the risk of pregnancy is higher.
The decision to discontinue seizure medication should be made on an individual basis and by the prescriber. The nurse should not advise the patient to discontinue use after a year of being seizure free.
Telling the patient that she may never come off the medication is not something that can be foreseen.
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