Comprehensive Nursing Review: Seizure Disorders
(Tonic-Clonic, Myoclonic, Focal, Status Epilepticus),
Antiseizure Medication Monitoring (Phenytoin,
Lorazepam, Levetiracetam), Safety During
Seizures, Parkinson's Disease Assessment and
Management (Bradykinesia, Dyskinesia, Nutrition,
Mobility, Medication Effects), Multiple Sclerosis
Care (Urinary Retention, Flare Management,
Glatiramer Acetate, Dalfampridine), Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis Support (ROM, Strength
Maintenance), Huntington's Disease Genetics and
Patient Teaching, and Restless Legs Syndrome
Nonpharmacologic Interventions Exam Questions
Verified and Provided with A+ Graded Rationales
Latest Updated 2026
While the nurse is transporting a patient on a stretcher to the radiology department, the patient
begins having a tonic-clonic seizure. Which action should the nurse take?
a. Insert an oral airway during the seizure to maintain a patent airway.
b. Restrain the patient's arms and legs to prevent injury during the seizure.
c. Time and observe and record the details of the seizure and postictal state.
d. Avoid touching the patient to prevent further nervous system stimulation.
ANS: C
Because the diagnosis and treatment of seizures frequently are based on the description of the
seizure, recording the length and details of the seizure is important. Insertion of an oral airway
and restraining the patient during the seizure are contraindicated. The nurse may need to move
the patient to decrease the risk of injury during the seizure.
A high school teacher who has been diagnosed with epilepsy after having a generalized tonic-
clonic seizure tells the nurse, "I cannot teach any more. It will be too upsetting if I have a seizure
at work." Which response by the nurse specifically addresses the patient's concern?
a. "You might benefit from some psychologic counseling."
b. "Epilepsy usually can be well controlled with medications."
, c. "You will want to contact the Epilepsy Foundation for assistance."
d. "The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation can help with work retraining."
ANS: B
The nurse should inform the patient that most patients with seizure disorders are controlled
with medication. The other information may be necessary if the seizures persist after treatment
with antiseizure medications is implemented.
A patient has been taking phenytoin (Dilantin) for 2 years. Which action will the nurse take
when evaluating for adverse effects of the medication?
a. Inspect the oral mucosa.
b. Listen to the lung sounds.
c. Auscultate the bowel sounds.
d. Check pupil reaction to light.
ANS: A
Phenytoin can cause gingival hyperplasia, but does not affect bowel sounds, lung sounds, or
pupil reaction to light.
A patient reports feeling numbness and tingling of the left arm before experiencing a seizure.
The nurse determines that this history is consistent with what type of seizure?
a. Focal
b. Atonic
c. Absence
d. Myoclonic
ANS: A
The initial symptoms of a focal seizure involve clinical manifestations that are localized to a
particular part of the body or brain. Symptoms of an absence seizure are staring and a brief loss
of consciousness. In an atonic seizure, the patient loses muscle tone and (typically) falls to the
ground. Myoclonic seizures are characterized by a sudden jerk of the body or extremities.
When obtaining a health history and physical assessment for a 36-yr-old female patient with
possible multiple sclerosis (MS), the nurse should
a. assess for the presence of chest pain.
b. inquire about urinary tract problems.
c. inspect the skin for rashes or discoloration.
d. ask the patient about any increase in libido.
ANS: B
Urinary tract problems with incontinence or retention are common symptoms of MS. Chest pain
and skin rashes are not symptoms of MS. A decrease in libido is common with MS.
(Tonic-Clonic, Myoclonic, Focal, Status Epilepticus),
Antiseizure Medication Monitoring (Phenytoin,
Lorazepam, Levetiracetam), Safety During
Seizures, Parkinson's Disease Assessment and
Management (Bradykinesia, Dyskinesia, Nutrition,
Mobility, Medication Effects), Multiple Sclerosis
Care (Urinary Retention, Flare Management,
Glatiramer Acetate, Dalfampridine), Amyotrophic
Lateral Sclerosis Support (ROM, Strength
Maintenance), Huntington's Disease Genetics and
Patient Teaching, and Restless Legs Syndrome
Nonpharmacologic Interventions Exam Questions
Verified and Provided with A+ Graded Rationales
Latest Updated 2026
While the nurse is transporting a patient on a stretcher to the radiology department, the patient
begins having a tonic-clonic seizure. Which action should the nurse take?
a. Insert an oral airway during the seizure to maintain a patent airway.
b. Restrain the patient's arms and legs to prevent injury during the seizure.
c. Time and observe and record the details of the seizure and postictal state.
d. Avoid touching the patient to prevent further nervous system stimulation.
ANS: C
Because the diagnosis and treatment of seizures frequently are based on the description of the
seizure, recording the length and details of the seizure is important. Insertion of an oral airway
and restraining the patient during the seizure are contraindicated. The nurse may need to move
the patient to decrease the risk of injury during the seizure.
A high school teacher who has been diagnosed with epilepsy after having a generalized tonic-
clonic seizure tells the nurse, "I cannot teach any more. It will be too upsetting if I have a seizure
at work." Which response by the nurse specifically addresses the patient's concern?
a. "You might benefit from some psychologic counseling."
b. "Epilepsy usually can be well controlled with medications."
, c. "You will want to contact the Epilepsy Foundation for assistance."
d. "The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation can help with work retraining."
ANS: B
The nurse should inform the patient that most patients with seizure disorders are controlled
with medication. The other information may be necessary if the seizures persist after treatment
with antiseizure medications is implemented.
A patient has been taking phenytoin (Dilantin) for 2 years. Which action will the nurse take
when evaluating for adverse effects of the medication?
a. Inspect the oral mucosa.
b. Listen to the lung sounds.
c. Auscultate the bowel sounds.
d. Check pupil reaction to light.
ANS: A
Phenytoin can cause gingival hyperplasia, but does not affect bowel sounds, lung sounds, or
pupil reaction to light.
A patient reports feeling numbness and tingling of the left arm before experiencing a seizure.
The nurse determines that this history is consistent with what type of seizure?
a. Focal
b. Atonic
c. Absence
d. Myoclonic
ANS: A
The initial symptoms of a focal seizure involve clinical manifestations that are localized to a
particular part of the body or brain. Symptoms of an absence seizure are staring and a brief loss
of consciousness. In an atonic seizure, the patient loses muscle tone and (typically) falls to the
ground. Myoclonic seizures are characterized by a sudden jerk of the body or extremities.
When obtaining a health history and physical assessment for a 36-yr-old female patient with
possible multiple sclerosis (MS), the nurse should
a. assess for the presence of chest pain.
b. inquire about urinary tract problems.
c. inspect the skin for rashes or discoloration.
d. ask the patient about any increase in libido.
ANS: B
Urinary tract problems with incontinence or retention are common symptoms of MS. Chest pain
and skin rashes are not symptoms of MS. A decrease in libido is common with MS.
