A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for phenytoin to treat a seizure disorder

​Take the drug with food.
Cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezil commonly cause nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. This is due to the increase of acetylcholine in all parts of the body, and its subsequent effect on the gastrointestinal tract and other systems of the body. The provider should explain to the patient and his caregiver that taking the drug with food and at bedtime will help minimize uncomfortable gastrointestinal effects. The provider also should instruct the partner to report vomiting, severe diarrhea, weight loss, or signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, such as dark stools or coffee-ground emesis, especially if the patient is also taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. At this point, it is not necessary to stop taking the drug, reduce the dosage, or undergo liver function tests.

​Weight loss
​Insomnia
​Hallucinations
Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine, a central nervous system stimulant, can lead to weight loss. Patients should take drug right before meals and maintain healthful eating habits. Amphetamine-dextroamphetamine can cause insomnia and restlessness, so patients should take the drug in the morning. It can cause paranoid psychosis, thus patients should report delusions, hallucinations, and changes in mood. Risperidone (Risperdal), an atypical antipsychotic drug, is likely to cause orthostatic hypotension. Atomoxetine (Strattera) may cause liver injury. Patients taking atomoxetine should report signs of liver injury such as flu-like symptoms, yellowing skin, and abdominal pain.

​Respiratory rate
It is important to monitor the patient's cardiac rhythm following the administration of IV diazepam, a benzodiazepine, due to the risk of cardiac arrest. However, this is not the most important assessment. It is also important to monitor seizure activity to determine the effectiveness of the diazepam, a benzodiazepine, but this is not the most important assessment. It is also important to monitor all vital signs following the administration of IV diazepam, a benzodiazepine, due to the risk of hypotension and cardiac arrest. Nonetheless, this is not the most important assessment.
The greatest risk to the patient at this time is respiratory depression and apnea. Therefore, it is most important for the health care professional to assess the patient's respiratory rate. In addition, the patient may need supplemental oxygen.

Nystagmus
Phenytoin toxicity can develop with serum phenytoin levels greater than 20 mcg/mL, causing nystagmus, ataxia, sedation, and blurred or double vision. Rapid infusion of phenytoin can cause cardiac dysrhythmias, bradycardia, and hypotension. Toxic levels of phenobarbital, whose brand name is Luminal, sometimes given with phenytoin, also can cause bradycardia. Respiratory depression can be a sign of phenytoin or phenobarbital toxicity. Valproic acid (Depakote) can cause hepatotoxicity, which often manifests as jaundice.

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What is the side effect of phenytoin?

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When giving IV phenytoin Which of the following methods should be used *?

What should be monitored when taking phenytoin?