Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy Care Practice Questions
20 free Seizure Disorders and Epilepsy Care practice questions for the NCLEX Exam. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
What is the first action a nurse should take when observing a client having a tonic-clonic seizure?
- A Place a tongue blade in the client’s mouth
- B Turn the client onto their side
- C Restrain the client’s arms and legs
- D Insert an oral airway
Correct answer: Turn the client onto their side
Turning the client onto the side maintains airway patency and prevents aspiration. Inserting objects into the mouth or restraining the client can cause injury.
What is the nurse's best response to a client on phenytoin reporting gum swelling?
- A “You should stop taking your medication immediately.”
- B “This is a normal side effect; no action is needed.”
- C “Brush and floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly.”
- D “Increase your dose to reduce side effects.”
Correct answer: “Brush and floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly.”
Phenytoin can cause gingival hyperplasia. Good oral hygiene and dental care help minimize this effect.
During seizure management, what should the nurse avoid?
- A Loosening tight clothing around the neck
- B Moving objects away from the client
- C Inserting a padded tongue blade
- D Observing seizure duration
Correct answer: Inserting a padded tongue blade
Nothing should be inserted into the mouth during a seizure as it can injure the client’s teeth or airway.
Which finding in a client taking carbamazepine requires immediate reporting?
- A Drowsiness
- B Mild dizziness
- C Sore throat and fever
- D Dry mouth
Correct answer: Sore throat and fever
Carbamazepine may cause bone marrow suppression; sore throat and fever indicate possible infection.
What is the priority nursing intervention post-seizure?
- A Record the client’s vital signs
- B Offer food and water
- C Insert an intravenous line
- D Place the client in a supine position
Correct answer: Record the client’s vital signs
After seizure activity, vital signs help assess recovery and possible complications such as hypoxia.
When a client with epilepsy is prescribed valproic acid, what adverse effect should the nurse monitor for?
- A Weight loss
- B Hepatotoxicity
- C Bradycardia
- D Dry skin
Correct answer: Hepatotoxicity
Valproic acid can cause liver damage; monitoring liver enzymes is essential.
Which precaution should be included in the care plan for a client with a seizure disorder?
- A Keep bed in high position
- B Place suction equipment at bedside
- C Maintain bright lighting in room
- D Avoid side rails padding
Correct answer: Place suction equipment at bedside
Suction equipment should be available to clear secretions post-seizure.
When a client on phenobarbital shows excessive sleepiness, how should the nurse interpret this?
- A Normal therapeutic response
- B Early sign of toxicity
- C Withdrawal symptom
- D Hypoglycemia effect
Correct answer: Early sign of toxicity
Drowsiness may indicate excessive CNS depression, suggesting barbiturate toxicity.
What should a female client taking phenytoin be educated about?
- A It enhances contraceptive pill effectiveness
- B It reduces oral contraceptive effectiveness
- C It has no effect on contraception
- D It increases fertility
Correct answer: It reduces oral contraceptive effectiveness
Phenytoin accelerates metabolism of hormonal contraceptives, reducing their effectiveness.
Which statement by a client with epilepsy indicates effective teaching?
- A “I’ll stop my medication once I have no seizures for a week.”
- B “I should take my medication at the same time daily.”
- C “I’ll double the dose if I miss one.”
- D “I can stop medication when I feel better.”
Correct answer: “I should take my medication at the same time daily.”
Regular, consistent dosing maintains therapeutic drug levels and prevents seizures.
If a client develops status epilepticus, what IV medication would the nurse anticipate administering first?
- A Lorazepam
- B Phenytoin
- C Carbamazepine
- D Valproic acid
Correct answer: Lorazepam
Benzodiazepines like lorazepam are first-line to stop prolonged seizures quickly.
What phase follows seizure activity and is marked by confusion, fatigue, and headache?
- A Prodromal phase
- B Aura phase
- C Ictal phase
- D Postictal phase
Correct answer: Postictal phase
The postictal phase follows seizure activity and is marked by confusion, fatigue, and headache.
When teaching about seizure triggers, what should the nurse include?
- A Sleep deprivation
- B Increased calcium intake
- C Cold weather
- D High-protein diet
Correct answer: Sleep deprivation
Lack of sleep can precipitate seizures by altering brain excitability.
A sudden blank stare lasting 10 seconds in a child is characteristic of which type of seizure?
- A Tonic-clonic seizure
- B Absence seizure
- C Myoclonic seizure
- D Atonic seizure
Correct answer: Absence seizure
Absence seizures cause brief loss of awareness without convulsions, often seen as staring spells.
What indicates effective seizure management?
- A Increased seizure duration
- B Decreased frequency of seizures
- C Unchanged medication levels
- D Presence of aura symptoms
Correct answer: Decreased frequency of seizures
A reduction in seizure frequency shows effective medication control.
Which abnormal result in a client on valproic acid is most concerning?
- A Elevated ALT/AST
- B Low sodium
- C High calcium
- D Low potassium
Correct answer: Elevated ALT/AST
Elevated liver enzymes may indicate hepatotoxicity, a serious side effect of valproic acid.
What is an essential instruction for a client with epilepsy during discharge teaching?
- A Avoid wearing a medical alert bracelet
- B Avoid alcohol completely
- C Drive short distances
- D Discontinue medication if drowsy
Correct answer: Avoid alcohol completely
Alcohol can lower seizure threshold and interfere with antiepileptic drugs.
What does the presence of an aura before a seizure indicate?
- A A warning sign of impending seizure
- B A sign of medication toxicity
- C A manifestation of recovery
- D A symptom of sleep deprivation
Correct answer: A warning sign of impending seizure
Auras are sensory warnings that a seizure is about to occur, allowing for safety measures.
During a seizure, if the nurse notices cyanosis, what is the priority action?
- A Document the color change
- B Apply oxygen via mask
- C Give oral airway
- D Start CPR
Correct answer: Apply oxygen via mask
Oxygenation must be restored immediately to prevent hypoxia-related complications.
Which setup in seizure precautions requires correction?
- A Record the time when the client first arrived in the emergency department
- B Estimate the time when the symptoms were first noticed by a bystander
- C Record the exact time the client was last seen at their normal baseline
- D Document the time the diagnostic CT scan of the head was performed
Correct answer: Record the exact time the client was last seen at their normal baseline
Objects like tongue depressors should not be used; they pose a risk of airway injury.