A nurse is assessing a graduate nurse's knowledge of antiepileptic medications and asks him, "How is ethosuximide (Zarontin) different from phenytoin (Dilantin) and carbamazepine (Tegretol)?"
Which response provided by the graduate nurse best demonstrates understanding of the differences between the medications?
a. Ethosuximide does not block sodium channels or enhance gamma-aminobutyric acid.
b. Ethosuximide efficacy is readily monitored by serum levels.
c. Ethosuximide has more significant adverse events and drug interactions.
d. Ethosuximide cannot be used in children.
ANS: A
Ethosuximide does not block sodium channels and does not enhance gamma-aminobutyric–mediated neuronal inhibition, as do phenytoin and carbamazepine.
All the drug levels should be monitored by serum levels.
The adverse events and drug interactions are not more significant with ethosuximide, and all share serious adverse side effects.
All of the medications may be used for children.
You might also like to view...
What is the importance of the nurse closely monitoring bilateral breath sounds and chest movement after a thoracentesis?
a. Fluid may quickly accumulate as a result of inflammation. b. The lung may have been punctured during the procedure. c. Severe bronchospasm may cause atelecta-sis. d. Asthma may result after the procedure.
In combination with digoxin, which drug predisposes a patient to digoxin toxicity?
a. Nitroglycerin b. Hydrochlorothiazide c. Triamterene d. Captopril
The nurse reassesses a patient's pain 1 hour after administering a pain medication. Which route did the nurse use to administer the pain medication?
1) Intravenous 2) Intramuscular 3) Rectal 4) Oral
A researcher administers a written test to evaluate knowledge of insulin administration and glucose monitoring to a group of subjects at annual intervals over the next decade. This is an example of which type of study design?
a. Correlational b. Cross-sectional c. Descriptive d. Longitudinal