Question

A nurse is planning to teach a client who has epilepsy and a new prescription for phenytoin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse plan to include?

A. Take the medication with milk or antacids
B. Take the medication with an empty stomach
C. Stop the medication if experiencing dizziness
D. Avoid consumption of leafy green vegetables

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct the client to take the medication with an empty stomach. They should also educate the client about the potential side effect of dizziness and the importance of reporting any severe side effects to their healthcare provider. Avoiding consumption of leafy green vegetables is not necessary.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should plan to include the instruction to take the medication with an empty stomach. Phenytoin is better absorbed when taken on an empty stomach, as food can decrease its absorption. It is important for the client not to skip doses and take the medication at regular intervals to maintain therapeutic levels in the body.

Instructing the client to avoid consumption of leafy green vegetables is not necessary in this case. Leafy green vegetables contain vitamin K, which can decrease the effectiveness of the anticoagulant medication Warfarin, but has no significant interaction with phenytoin.

Experiencing dizziness is a common side effect of phenytoin, especially when starting the medication or during dose adjustments. The nurse should educate the client to report any unusual or severe side effects to their healthcare provider, but stopping the medication without medical advice is not recommended.