Question

Dr. Smith is the attending physician on a patient admitted to the hospital with a first-time seizure. The head CT and EEG are normal. Dr. Smith will not be starting antiseizure medications. The patient drives to work regularly. What should Dr. Smith do concerning the patient's ability to drive?

A) Advise the patient to continue driving as usual since the tests were normal.
B) Encourage the patient to refrain from driving until further evaluation and follow-up.
C) Report the patient's seizure to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
D) Refer the patient to a neurologist for further evaluation and guidance on driving restrictions.

Answer 1

Dr. Smith should refer the patient to a neurologist for further evaluation and guidance on driving restrictions.

Step-by-step explanation:

Dr. Smith should refer the patient to a neurologist for further evaluation and guidance on driving restrictions. Since the head CT and EEG are normal, it suggests that the patient's first-time seizure is likely an isolated event. However, further assessment by a neurologist is necessary to determine the underlying cause of the seizure and to provide appropriate guidance on driving restrictions.

The neurologist will evaluate the patient's overall medical history, perform a thorough neurological examination, and may order additional tests if necessary. Based on the findings, the neurologist will be able to determine if the patient can safely resume driving without any restrictions or if certain restrictions need to be implemented.

Driving restrictions for individuals with a history of seizures vary depending on factors such as the type of seizure, frequency of seizures, and response to treatment. The neurologist will consider these factors and the specific regulations in the patient's jurisdiction when providing guidance on driving restrictions.