Guided Lecture Notes, Chapter 52, Drug Therapy for Seizure Disorders and Spasticity

Learning Objective 1.Identify types of seizures as well as the potential causes and pathophysiology of seizures.

  • Identify types and potential causes of seizures.
  • Differentiate between a seizure and a convulsion.(Refer to PowerPointslide 2.)
  • Define epilepsy, discussing broad classifications and causes.(Refer to PowerPointslides 2, 5, and 6.)
  • Discuss the classifications of seizures and resulting signs and symptoms. (Refer to PowerPoint slides 9 to 12 and 15 to 19.)

Learning Objective 2.Identify factors that influence the choice of antiepileptic medications in treating seizure disorders.

  • Discuss major factors that influence the choice of an antiseizure drug for a patient with a seizure disorder.Describe the numerous difficulties with antiseizure drugs in the past that led to the development of new medications.

Learning Objective 3.Identify the prototypes and describe the actions, uses, adverse effects, contraindications, and nursing implications for antiepileptic drugs in all classes.

  • List the principles of antiseizure drug therapy.
  • Recognize characteristics and effects of commonly used antiseizure drugs.Describe the theorized mechanism of action of AEDs.(Refer to PowerPointslides 20 and 21.)

Learning Objective 4.Describe strategies for prevention and treatment of status epilepticus.

  • Discuss indications for use of AEDs. (Refer to PowerPoint slides 23 and 27.)
  • Describe situations where AED use is contraindicated.

Learning Objective 5.Implement the nursing process in the care of patients undergoing drug therapy for seizure disorders.

  • Apply the nursing process in the care ofpatients receiving antiseizure drugs.
  • Describe strategies for prevention and treatment of status epilepticus.
  • Discuss the use of AED in children, older adults, patients with renal or hepatic impairment, and patients with critical illness. (Refer to PowerPoint slide 31.)

Learning Objective 6.Discuss the common symptoms and disorders for which skeletal muscle relaxants are used.

  • Discuss common symptoms and disorders for which skeletal muscle relaxants are used.
  • Define the disorders for which skeletal muscle relaxants are prescribed. (Refer to PowerPoint slide 32.)
  • Differentiate uses and effects of selected skeletal muscle relaxants.
  • Describe the mechanism of action and indications for use of skeletal muscle relaxants. (Refer to PowerPoint slide 35.)

Learning Objective 7.Identify the prototypes and describe the actions, uses, adverse effects, contraindications, and nursing implications for the skeletal muscle relaxants.

  • Discuss contraindications for skeletal muscle relaxant use. (Refer to PowerPoint slide 36.)
  • Describe therapy goals for skeletal muscle relaxant use. (Refer to PowerPoint slide 37.)
  • Explain factors that contribute to the selection of skeletal muscle relaxant. (Refer to PowerPoint slide 37.)
  • Discuss skeletal muscle relaxant use in special populations. (Refer to PowerPoint slide 38.)

Learning Objective 8.Implement the nursing process in the care of patients undergoing drug therapy for muscle spasms and spasticity.

  • Describe nonpharmacologic interventions to relieve muscle spasm and spasticity.
  • Apply the nursing process in the care ofpatients experiencing muscle spasm or spasticity.