CNRN Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy Management

Question 1

A patient begins having generalized tonic-clonic seizure activity. The nurse's FIRST priority action is to:

Accepted Answer

Protect the patient from injury and maintain airway patency

Answer

Insert an oral airway device

Answer

Administer IV lorazepam immediately

Answer

Restrain the patient's limbs to prevent injury

Question 2

Status epilepticus is defined as continuous seizure activity lasting longer than:

Accepted Answer

5 minutes

Answer

2 minutes

Answer

15 minutes

Answer

30 minutes

Question 3

Which first-line medication is recommended for initial treatment of status epilepticus in adults?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepine (lorazepam or diazepam)

Answer

Phenytoin IV

Answer

Levetiracetam IV

Answer

Valproic acid IV

Question 4

A patient on phenytoin therapy has a level of 8 mcg/mL. The therapeutic range for phenytoin is:

Accepted Answer

10–20 mcg/mL

Answer

5–10 mcg/mL

Answer

20–30 mcg/mL

Answer

30–40 mcg/mL

Question 5

Which seizure type is characterized by sudden loss of muscle tone, causing the patient to fall?

Accepted Answer

Atonic (drop) seizure

Answer

Myoclonic seizure

Answer

Absence seizure

Answer

Tonic seizure

Question 6

The nurse observes a patient staring blankly for 15 seconds with lip-smacking and hand automatisms, then returning to baseline confused. This describes:

Accepted Answer

Focal impaired awareness seizure (complex partial)

Answer

Absence (petit mal) seizure

Answer

Generalized tonic-clonic seizure

Answer

Simple focal seizure