Final answer:
A nurse should monitor for liver toxicity, pancreatic toxicity, thrombocytopenia, and changes in mood or behavior as adverse effects of valproic acid for seizure control. While diazepam is used for acute seizures, valproic acid is a maintenance medication for ongoing management.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should monitor and report several adverse effects when a client is taking valproic acid for seizure control. Some of these include liver toxicity, which can present as jaundice, prolonged PT/INR, or altered liver enzymes. Another important side effect to monitor is pancreatic toxicity, which may manifest as severe abdominal pain and vomiting. Additionally, the nurse should look out for possible signs of thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) such as bruising and bleeding, and watch for signs of toxicity such as tremors, ataxia, or encephalopathy. In terms of neurological effects, it's crucial to monitor for any unusual changes in behavior or mood, such as depression or agitation, which could indicate the need for adjusting the medication.
While anticonvulsants like diazepam are administered to manage acute seizures and can improve the long-term prognosis by reducing the risk of brain damage, valproic acid is typically a maintenance therapy for ongoing seizure control. Unlike diazepam, valproic acid is usually self-administered by the patient as part of a daily medication regimen.