Question

UUUU “Big Red" is a 2 year old 84.5 lbs. Irish Setter presented to your hospital in status epilepticus. The veterinarian orders a loading dose of diazepam (10 mg/mL) to stop the seizure and for you to place an IV catheter, begin maintenance fluids and a CRI of diazepam at a dosage of 0.2 mg/kg/hr. What is status epilepticus? What is Red's maintenance fluid requirement for a day? What is his rate/hr? What is his flow rate? Calculate the amount of diazepam to add to a 500 ml bag of LRS. Are there any special considerations for diazepam? g. How would you address any special considerations? Ex. light sensitive...cover the bag of fluids with a dark plastic bag.

Health and Science Medical Mathamatics Class. Learing about Constant Rate Infusion. Needing help. This is a Veterinarian technician/ nursing course.

Answer 1

a Answer: Status epilepticus is condition of fits or seizures where there is a single attack of fit or seizure within a 5 minute period or sometimes more than 3 continuous back to back attacks in a 5 minute period where the patient never returns to normal during that 5 minute period. Status epilepticus occurs in people who have suffered from brain trauma like seizures, stroke or severe head injury. Status epilepticus is a life threatening disease condition where if immediate treatment is not given, it could result in death or severe paralysis to the body. There are two types of status epilepticus, they are convulsive and non convulsive.

b Answer: The fluid requirement for an adult Irish Setter is around 4 litres per day. For Red the fluid requirement would be around 2-3 litres per day.

c Answer: Red's rate/hr would be around 100 to 140 beats per minute.

d Answer: Red's flow rate is difficult to comprehends as the seizures are continous. Once Red is in a stable condition, we can determine the flow rate correctly.

e Answer: 50 mg of diazepam should be added to 500ml of LRS.

f Answer: The side effects of diazepam are drowsiness, tiredness or fatigue, muscle weakness, inability to control muscle movements, headache, tremor, dizziness and dry mouth or excessive saliva.

g Answer: Cover the Irish setter with are comfortable blanket and place it on a soft cushion. Provide enough fluids so that dehydration won't occur. Check the pulse rate periodically and watch out for any other signs and symptoms.