What should a nurse do if a patient taking phenytoin shows symptoms of toxicity?

When a patient taking phenytoin exhibits symptoms of toxicity, it is crucial for the nurse to notify the healthcare provider immediately. Phenytoin, an anticonvulsant medication, has a narrow therapeutic index, which means that small changes in drug concentration can lead to toxicity. Symptoms of toxicity may include confusion, ataxia, nystagmus, or more severe effects like seizures and respiratory depression. Prompt communication with the healthcare provider is necessary to assess the patient’s condition and to determine the appropriate intervention, which may include adjusting the medication dosage, administering supportive care, or monitoring the patient more closely.

Other actions, such as encouraging a high protein diet, administering a diuretic, or reassuring the patient that the symptoms are normal, do not address the urgent nature of toxicity. These could potentially delay necessary medical intervention and compromise patient safety. Therefore, timely notification of the healthcare provider is the most appropriate response in this scenario.