The nurse is preparing a presentation about antiseizure medications. The nurse plans to include the general mechanisms of actions for these medications. Which items would be appropriate to include? (Select all that apply.)

Question

Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.

1. Delaying an influx of sodium ions
2. Stimulating an influx of chloride ions, an effect associated with the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
3. Increasing the neuronal firing in the brain
4. Delaying an influx of calcium ions
5. Increasing an influx of potassium ions

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 1, 2, 4

Rationale 1: One of the three mechanisms is delaying an influx of sodium ions.
Rationale 2: One of the three mechanisms is stimulating an influx of chloride ions, an effect associated with the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Rationale 3: Increasing the neuronal firing in the brain is incorrect because antiseizure drugs decrease the neuronal firing in the brain.
Rationale 4: One of the three mechanisms is delaying an influx of calcium ions.
Rationale 5: Increasing an influx of potassium ions is not one of the mechanisms of action for epilepsy medications.

Global Rationale: The three mechanism of action include delaying an influx of sodium ions, delaying an influx of calcium ions, and stimulating an influx of chloride ions, an effect associated with the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Increasing the neuronal firing in the brain is incorrect because antiseizure drugs decrease the neuronal firing in the brain. Increasing an influx of potassium ions is not one of the mechanisms of action for epilepsy medications.