CNRN Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy Management 2

Question 1

A patient with a known seizure disorder reports an aura of a strange smell before their seizures. This type of aura localizes to which brain region?

Accepted Answer

Temporal lobe (uncus)

Answer

Olfactory auras (strange smells) localize to the medial temporal lobe (uncus), a common focus for temporal lobe epilepsy.

Question 2

Levetiracetam (Keppra) is frequently used as an antiseizure medication in neuroscience units. The nurse monitors for which MOST COMMON behavioral side effect?

Accepted Answer

Irritability, agitation, and mood changes ('Keppra rage')

Answer

Levetiracetam commonly causes irritability, agitation, and mood changes (colloquially called 'Keppra rage'), particularly in patients with prior psychiatric history.

Question 3

Which antiseizure medication requires routine monitoring of sodium levels due to its potential to cause hyponatremia?

Accepted Answer

Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Answer

Carbamazepine can cause syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) leading to hyponatremia, requiring regular sodium monitoring.

Question 4

A patient with epilepsy is admitted after a breakthrough seizure. Which factor should the nurse assess FIRST as the most common cause of breakthrough seizures?

Accepted Answer

Antiseizure medication non-compliance

Answer

Non-compliance with antiseizure medication is the most common cause of breakthrough seizures in patients with established epilepsy.

Question 5

The nurse is caring for a patient in refractory status epilepticus requiring continuous EEG monitoring. The therapeutic goal of treatment is to achieve:

Accepted Answer

Burst suppression pattern

Answer

In refractory status epilepticus, treatment with anesthetic agents aims to achieve burst suppression on EEG, indicating adequate seizure suppression.

CNRN Test Practice Test

CNRN Test Practice Test

CNRN Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy Management 2