A nurse caring for a patient with a history of seizures observes a sudden muscle contraction in the right arm that lasts approximately 1 second
The nurse recognizes this finding as a myoclonic seizure and anticipates that the prescriber will order which medication?
a. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
b. Lorazepam (Ativan)
c. Ethosuximide (Zarontin)
d. Valproic acid (Depakote)
ANS: D
The patient displays symptoms of a myoclonic seizure, which is characterized by a sudden muscle contraction lasting approximately 1 second or that may involve the whole body. The drug of choice for myoclonic seizures is valproic acid.
Phenytoin (Dilantin) is the drug of choice for grand mal seizures.
Lorazepam (Ativan) is the drug of choice for status epileptics.
Ethosuximide (Zarontin) is a drug often used in the treatment of petit mal seizures.
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