Exam 45: Antiepileptics

A 20-kg child takes valproic acid (Depakote)for seizures and has had regular dose increases with a current dose of 250 mg twice daily.The child continues to have one to two seizures each week along with significant drowsiness that interferes with school participation.The primary care NP should contact the child's neurologist to discuss:

A patient who takes carbamazepine (Tegretol)for a seizure disorder is seen by a primary care NP for a routine physical examination.A complete blood count (CBC)reveals a low white blood cell (WBC)count.The NP should:

A patient who has partial seizures has been taking phenytoin (Dilantin).The patient has recently developed thrombocytopenia.The primary care nurse practitioner (NP)should contact the patient's neurologist to discuss changing the patient's medication to:

A patient who takes carbamazepine (Tegretol)has been seizure-free for 2 years and asks the primary care NP about stopping the medication.The NP should:

A patient who takes valproic acid for a seizure disorder is preparing to have surgery.The primary care NP should order:

A 12-month-old child with severe developmental delays was recently treated in an emergency department for a febrile seizure and is seen by the primary care NP for a follow-up visit.The child's parent asks if it is necessary to continue giving the child phenobarbital.The NP should tell the parent that:

A patient is newly diagnosed with generalized epilepsy.The primary care NP will refer this patient to a neurologist and should expect this patient to begin taking:

A patient who is taking phenytoin (Dilantin)for a newly diagnosed seizure disorder calls the primary care NP to report a rash.The NP should: