Which statement indicates that Alanna understands the client teaching about phenytoin?

• A. I must brush and floss my teeth after every meal.
• B. I will have to check my medication level daily.
• C. My stool may be clay-colored while taking this drug.
• D. I will not have seizures since I am on this medication.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that phenytoin requires attention to oral health because it can cause gingival hyperplasia. Demonstrating understanding means recognizing the importance of dental hygiene, so saying you must brush and floss after every meal shows you know how to minimize a common side effect and maintain overall care while on this medication. The other ideas aren’t as aligned with typical teaching: checking medication levels daily isn’t needed since levels are monitored periodically, clay-colored stool isn’t a standard teaching point for phenytoin, and assuming you won’t have seizures because you’re on the drug isn’t accurate since anticonvulsants reduce seizures but don’t guarantee control.