During a Routine Appointment, a Patient with a History of Seizures

question 9

Multiple Choice

During a routine appointment, a patient with a history of seizures is found to have a phenytoin (Dilantin) level of 23 mcg/mL. What concern will the nurse have, if any?

• A) The patient is at risk for seizures because the drug level is not at a therapeutic level.
• B) The patient's seizures should be under control because this is a therapeutic drug level.
• C) The patient's seizures should be under control if she is also taking a second antiepileptic drug.
• D) The drug level is at a toxic level, and the dosage needs to be reduced.

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Definitions:

Neurons

The fundamental units of the brain and nervous system responsible for receiving sensory input from the external world, processing this information, and sending commands to the body.

Brain

The organ located in the head of an animal that controls its actions, thoughts, feelings, and interactions with the environment; central to the nervous system.

Mood Molecule

A colloquial term often used to refer to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is linked to regulating mood, emotions, and several other functions in the body.

Neurotransmitter

Substances that act as intermediaries, sending signals from one nerve cell to another neuron, muscle cell, or gland cell across a chemical synapse.