In: Nursing
TP is a 48 year old male client admitted to the hospital after
having a seizure...
TP is a 48 year old male client admitted to the hospital after
having a seizure while attending church. He has a history of
seizures and has been taking phenytoin (Dilantin) 100 mg PO
TID.
- What questions will you want to ask the patient/his
family?
On further evaluation, TP admits that he sometimes forgets to
take his medication because he feels “so great”. His phenytoin
level is 5 mcg/mL.
- His wife asks you what that level means. How would you describe
his level in regards to the typical therapeutic range?
- What education do you need to provide him at this point?
TP is discharged after 3 days with a phenytoin level of 11
mcg/mL. He will be sent home with phenytoin extended release 300mg
PO daily. He tells you that part of the reason he is reluctant to
take his medication is that when it was originally prescribed, the
physician cautioned him that it could easily become toxic in his
blood and that he was frightened.
- How would you address his concerns? What can be done to
minimize the risk of excessive blood levels?
- What other education would you provide him regarding his
phenytoin therapy? What does he need to watch for? What can he do
to minimize the severity of side effects?
- What are some general nursing responsibilities regarding care
of a patient with seizures?
- What if TP was a 24 year old female taking oral contraceptives
and prescribed phenytoin? What teaching would she need?