Nursing Key Outcomes, Nursing Interventions, Patient Teaching For Epilepsy

Common nursing diagnosis found in nursing care plans for Epilepsy, Ineffective airway clearance, Anxiety, Deficient knowledge (diagnosis and treatment), Fear, Ineffective coping, Risk for injury, Social isolation

Nursing Key outcomes nursing care plans for Epilepsy
Patients with epilepsy will:

• Express feelings of decreased anxiety.
• Communicate an understanding of the condition and treatment regimen.
• Identify any fears or concerns.
• Use support systems and develop adequate coping.
• Remain free from injury.
• Resume active participation in social situations and activities.
• Family will use support systems and develop adequate coping

Nursing interventions nursing care plans for Epilepsy

• Provide emotional support to patients.
• Encourage patient express their fears and concerns. Suggest counseling to help them cope.
• Encourage family express their fears and concerns, and sugest to support counseling to help them cope.
• Monitor the patient for signs and symptoms of toxicity, such as slurred speech, ataxia, lethargy, dizziness, drowsiness, nystagmus, irritability, nausea, and vomiting. If the patient is taking anticonvulsants
• If needed Prepare the patient for surgery.
• If necessary, provide preoperative and postoperative care appropriate for the type of surgery the patient is to undergo.

Patient Teaching Discharge And Home Healthcare Guidelines

Be sure that the patient understands all medications, including the dosage, route, action,adverse effects, and need for routine laboratory monitoring of AEDs

• Give adequate patient support by developing an understanding of, Answer of any patients questions.
• Teach patients dispelling myths. For example, assure them that epilepsy is not contagious and is controllable for most patients who follow a prescribed regimen of medication. Provide assurance that most patients maintain a normal lifestyle.
• Explain to the patient and his family the need for compliance with the prescribed drug schedule.
• Assure the patient that anticonvulsant drugs are safe when taken as ordered..
• Teach the patient about the medication's possible adverse effect drowsiness, lethargy, hyperactivity, confusion, visual and sleep disturbance all of which indicate the need for dosage adjustment. Tell him that phenytoin therapy may lead to hyperplasia of the gums, which may be relieved by conscientious oral hygiene. Instruct the patient to report adverse reactions immediately.
• Explain the importance of having anticonvulsant blood levels checked at regular intervals even if the seizures are under control.
• Instruct the patient to eat regular meals and to check with his physician before dieting. Explain that maintaining adequate glucose levels provides the necessary energy for central nervous system neurons to work normally. (See Preventing seizures.)
• If the patient is needs  surgery, provide appropriate preoperative teaching. Explain the care that the patient can expect postoperatively.
• Teach the patient's family to Avoid restraining the patient during a seizure
• Know which social agencies in your community can help epileptic patients. Refer the patient to the Epilepsy Foundation for general information and to the state motor vehicle department for information about a driver's license.