title: Epilepsy update, part 2: nursing care and evidence-based treatment.
abstract: As new research has increased our understanding of epilepsy and the challenges patients with epilepsy face, the role of the nurse as an educator and advocate has grown. This article, the second in a two-part series, addresses the most important aspects of assessing and caring for patients with epilepsy-highlighting the seizure first-aid instructions that all family members of a patient with epilepsy should have; the teaching points to share with parents of young children with epilepsy; and online epilepsy resources for patients, family members, and health care professionals. The authors also discuss current medical, surgical, neurostimulatory, and dietary approaches to epilepsy treatment.
authors.affiliation: Gigi Smith is an associate professor and associate dean for academics and Janelle L. Wagner is an associate professor in the College of Nursing at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), Charleston. Jonathan C. Edwards is a professor of neuroscience and director of the MUSC Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. Contact author: Gigi Smith, smithgi@musc.edu. The authors and planners have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors.forename: Gigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Janelle L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Jonathan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000601:surgery; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D055423:Diet, Ketogenic; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D005632:Fructose / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D064086:Medical Marijuana / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education*; D010889:Piracetam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077236:Topiramate
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D064086:Medical Marijuana; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam