Nurs 271 pharmacology II EXAM –medication for nuerological disorders 2022 update
Module Outcomes:
Describe the nursing role in the pharmacologic management of seizures and epilepsy
Categorize drugs used in the treatment of seizures and epilepsy based on their classification and mechanisms of action
Describe the nursing role in the pharmacologic management of common neurologic disorders
Explain the method of action for drugs used in the management of common neurologic disorders
Describe the nursing role in the pharmacologic management of muscle spasms
• Review
CHAPTER the Key
53: Drug TermsforatSeizure
Therapy the beginning of the
Disorders andchapter.
Spasticity, page 1006
• Define the following:
o Epilepsy: disease where the patient has repetitive seizures
o Seizure: brief episode of abnormal electrical activity in nerve cells of the brain that may or may not be accompanied by visible changes
in appearance or behavior
o Convulsion: tonic-clonic type of seizure characterized by spasmodic contractions of involuntary muscles
• Define and its characteristics: repeated seizures or a seizure that lasts at least 30 minutes; may be convulsive, nonconvulsive, or partial
• What do antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) do? Can usually control seizure activity but do not cure the underlying disorder
• What are the various difficulties for clinicians and patients that are associated with antiepileptic drug therapy?
o Trials of different drugs
o Consideration of monotherapy (using a single drug) vs. combination therapy (using two or more drugs)
o The need to titrate dosage over time
o Lack of seizure control while drugs are being selected and dosage adjusted
,Nurs 271 pharmacology II EXAM –medication for nuerological disorders 2022 update
o Social stigma and adverse drug effects, often leading to poor patient adherence
o Undesirable drug interactions among AEDs and between AEDs and other medications
• What is the QSEN Alert from the FDA regarding administration of AEDs? When administering AEDs requiring dosage calculation, two nurses should
calculate the dosage, checking for accuracy
We will review the following Antiepileptic Drugs:
• Barbiturates: prototype phenobarbital
• Benzodiazepines: prototype diazepam (Valium, Diastat)
• Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Structural Analogs: prototype gabapentin (Neurontin)
• Hydantoins: prototype phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Iminostilbenes: prototype carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Phenyltriazine Derivatives: lamotrigine (Lamictal)
• Pyrrolidine Derivatives: levetiracetam (Keppra)
• Sulfamate-substituted Monosaccharides: topiramate (Topamax)
• List the Actions and Uses of the following Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs) in the table below.
Drug Classification Routes/Onset Administration specifics Adverse Effects and
➢ Prototype Black Box Warnings (BBWs)
Barbiturates Oral: • Oral: w/ or w/o food • CNS depression, possibly
➢ phenobarbital • absorbed rapidly • Parenteral: may involve combining cognitive impairment w/ sedation
through GI tract, medication w/ dextrose, lactated = MOST COMMON
usually w/in 1 Ringer’s, or normal saline -> if • Somnolence
hour precipitate forms when combining, • Confusion
• onset: > 60 min. administration should not take • Nightmares
• Duration: 10-12 hrs. place • Agitation
IV: • Drug is incompatible w/ acidic • Vertigo
• Onset: 5 min. solutions, amphotericin B, • MOST SEVERE = Stevens-Johnson
• Duration: approx. chlorpromazine, syndrome, a hypersensitivity
6 hrs. diphenhydramine, insulin, & reaction
• Half-life: 53-118 hrs. vancomycin. • Respiratory problems may occur, esp.
In children, 60-180 • Always inject IV form into large w/ parenteral form
hrs. veins at infusion rate no faster than • Sudden withdrawal places patient at risk
, Nurs 271 pharmacology II EXAM –medication for nuerological disorders 2022 update
60 mg/min. for status epilepticus
• Inadvertent intra-arterial injection
Module Outcomes:
Describe the nursing role in the pharmacologic management of seizures and epilepsy
Categorize drugs used in the treatment of seizures and epilepsy based on their classification and mechanisms of action
Describe the nursing role in the pharmacologic management of common neurologic disorders
Explain the method of action for drugs used in the management of common neurologic disorders
Describe the nursing role in the pharmacologic management of muscle spasms
• Review
CHAPTER the Key
53: Drug TermsforatSeizure
Therapy the beginning of the
Disorders andchapter.
Spasticity, page 1006
• Define the following:
o Epilepsy: disease where the patient has repetitive seizures
o Seizure: brief episode of abnormal electrical activity in nerve cells of the brain that may or may not be accompanied by visible changes
in appearance or behavior
o Convulsion: tonic-clonic type of seizure characterized by spasmodic contractions of involuntary muscles
• Define and its characteristics: repeated seizures or a seizure that lasts at least 30 minutes; may be convulsive, nonconvulsive, or partial
• What do antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) do? Can usually control seizure activity but do not cure the underlying disorder
• What are the various difficulties for clinicians and patients that are associated with antiepileptic drug therapy?
o Trials of different drugs
o Consideration of monotherapy (using a single drug) vs. combination therapy (using two or more drugs)
o The need to titrate dosage over time
o Lack of seizure control while drugs are being selected and dosage adjusted
,Nurs 271 pharmacology II EXAM –medication for nuerological disorders 2022 update
o Social stigma and adverse drug effects, often leading to poor patient adherence
o Undesirable drug interactions among AEDs and between AEDs and other medications
• What is the QSEN Alert from the FDA regarding administration of AEDs? When administering AEDs requiring dosage calculation, two nurses should
calculate the dosage, checking for accuracy
We will review the following Antiepileptic Drugs:
• Barbiturates: prototype phenobarbital
• Benzodiazepines: prototype diazepam (Valium, Diastat)
• Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Structural Analogs: prototype gabapentin (Neurontin)
• Hydantoins: prototype phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Iminostilbenes: prototype carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Phenyltriazine Derivatives: lamotrigine (Lamictal)
• Pyrrolidine Derivatives: levetiracetam (Keppra)
• Sulfamate-substituted Monosaccharides: topiramate (Topamax)
• List the Actions and Uses of the following Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs) in the table below.
Drug Classification Routes/Onset Administration specifics Adverse Effects and
➢ Prototype Black Box Warnings (BBWs)
Barbiturates Oral: • Oral: w/ or w/o food • CNS depression, possibly
➢ phenobarbital • absorbed rapidly • Parenteral: may involve combining cognitive impairment w/ sedation
through GI tract, medication w/ dextrose, lactated = MOST COMMON
usually w/in 1 Ringer’s, or normal saline -> if • Somnolence
hour precipitate forms when combining, • Confusion
• onset: > 60 min. administration should not take • Nightmares
• Duration: 10-12 hrs. place • Agitation
IV: • Drug is incompatible w/ acidic • Vertigo
• Onset: 5 min. solutions, amphotericin B, • MOST SEVERE = Stevens-Johnson
• Duration: approx. chlorpromazine, syndrome, a hypersensitivity
6 hrs. diphenhydramine, insulin, & reaction
• Half-life: 53-118 hrs. vancomycin. • Respiratory problems may occur, esp.
In children, 60-180 • Always inject IV form into large w/ parenteral form
hrs. veins at infusion rate no faster than • Sudden withdrawal places patient at risk
, Nurs 271 pharmacology II EXAM –medication for nuerological disorders 2022 update
60 mg/min. for status epilepticus
• Inadvertent intra-arterial injection
