The nurse is teaching a patient newly diagnosed with epilepsy about her disease
Most children with epilepsy live full, active lives that include school, friends, sports, and other activities. How much epilepsy interrupts a child's life depends upon the kind of epilepsy, the success of treatment,
and many other factors. Talk to your child's doctor about what activities your child can do and encourage your child to participate. Show
As your child grows, help him become more independent. Driving, college, career, marriage, and raising a family are possible for the vast majority of people with epilepsy. Tips to Encourage & Support a Child with Epilepsy:
Infants & Toddlers with Epilepsy:Seizures occur most frequently during the first few years of life, during a time when the brain is going through its most dramatic growth and changes. Recognizing and treating seizures as early as possible can help avoid learning and developmental delays. However, diagnosing seizures in infants can be difficult, as they cannot communicate what they are feeling after a seizure or during medical tests. Parents and caregivers observations are especially valuable and necessary for doctor's to effectively treat infants and toddlers with epilepsy.
School-age Children with Epilepsy:When children are older, having epilepsy can impact many parts of their lives, including how well they do in school, what sports they can play, and how they are treated by friends. The more parents can do to help their child lead an active, normal life, the better. As with all school-age children, it is best to establish routines and set clear rules and limits. Sometimes, parents worry that upsetting a child with epilepsy can lead to a seizure. Usually, if you stay calm and your child is old enough to understand why you are stopping a certain behavior, it should not increase the risk of a seizure. Parents should talk to their child's doctor if they have concerns about the best way to discipline.
Teens with Epilepsy:The preteen and early teen years are difficult for everyone. It is a time of great change, new challenges, and some dangerous temptations. When a child develops epilepsy, the risks, and insecurities that go along with this period are increased. It is important for parents to talk as openly as possible with their child about epilepsy and any other concerns.
Resources for Explaining Epilepsy to Teachers & Friends:Help others in your child's life understand epilepsy. Make sure others know what to do if your child has a seizure. This will help keep your child safe, feel more comfortable, and do better in school. By talking openly and honestly about epilepsy, parents reduce some of the stigma and fear about it. Additional Information:
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances. Which instructions should be included in the discharge teaching for a patient with epilepsy?Discharge Instructions for Epilepsy. Clear the area to prevent injury.. Position you on a flat, carpeted surface, if possible.. Don't try to restrain you.. Don't put anything in your mouth.. Turn you onto your side if you start to vomit.. Can someone live a normal life with epilepsy?With the right diagnosis and treatment, most patients can live a normal life. We have made great advancements in epilepsy treatment over the last 20 years with more medications, advanced diagnostic tests and more precise surgical techniques.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering to a patient in convulsive status epilepticus?Intravenous lorazepam is preferred; an initial dose of 4 mg of lorazepam is recommended for patients in status epilepticus.
Which antiepileptic drug would the nurse anticipate being prescribed for a patient with a diagnosis of generalized seizures related to LennoxLamotrigine is indicated as an adjunctive therapy for partial seizures, primary generalized tonic–clonic seizures, and generalized seizures of Lennox–Gastaut syndrome in patients two years of age or older.
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