The patient with a history of epilepsy has a seizure in the emergency department. He has stopped convulsing, but cannot be aroused. Once the patient is admitted to a room, the patient then starts convulsing again. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

Support the patient’s breathing and oxygenation. The nurse should recognize sustained seizures or repeated convulsive episodes without a return to consciousness as status epilepticus. Status epilepticus is a potentially lethal event. The first intervention is to protect the patient’s airway and support breathing. The nurse should not leave the room but rather should use the call system to get help. The nurse can also suction secretions, but should not place objects in the patient’s mouth, like a tongue depressor. The standard medication protocol used to treat status epilepticus starts with IM or IV benzodiazepine. A crash cart may or may not include this medication, since most are compiled to treat cardiac and respiratory arrest.

The patient with a history of epilepsy has a seizure in the emerg...

NCLEX Practice
Categories
Physiological Adaptation
View Question

Category: Physiological Adaptation
Difficulty: 6

Topics: Neurology Delegation, Prioritization and Leadership Intracranial Regulation Nursing Interventions

Want help? View the answer with rationale.

Additional Physiological Adaptation Questions

A 21-year-old male presents with sudden onset shortness of breath. He has no history of smoking, alcohol use, recent injuries or trauma. He is 5’11” tall, weighs 130 pounds, and works as a forklift driver. His vital signs are: BP 115/64 mm Hg, HR 104 bpm, RR 26, Temp 99.0 F, and O2 Sat 91%. The nurse suspects which condition?

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select One
Difficulty: 8

Which patient with dyspnea is seen first in the emergency department?

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select One
Difficulty: 7

The nurse is assessing a patient with hypoparathyroidism. Which assessment finding does the nurse expect to see in this patient?

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select One
Difficulty: 8

Show Calculator

Want help? View the answer with rationale.

Rationale

Additional Physiological Adaptation Questions

Nursing Careers

Nursing Degrees

NCLEX