A patient is prescribed phenytoin (Dilantin) for seizure activity. What should the nurse include when teaching the patient about this medication?
a. "Be sure to brush and floss your teeth daily."
b. "Be sure to arrange for regular checkups for potassium levels."
c. "You may notice some vision changes while taking this drug."
d. "You may experience shortness of breath as a side effect of the drug."
ANS: A
Regular dental care is important because of risk for gingival hyperplasia. B. C. D. Shortness of breath, vision changes, and potassium imbalance are not associated with phenytoin therapy.
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