A 20-year-old client arrives to the emergency department with status epilepticus and has no IV access. The parents who are with the client report that the seizure disorder has been managed with phenytoin, 100 mg PO tid, for the past year. Which drug should the nurse plan to administer?

A. Phenytoin: While phenytoin is used for long-term seizure control, it is not the drug of choice for immediate management of status epilepticus. It has a slow onset of action and requires IV access for acute effectiveness, which the client does not have. B. Diazepam: Benzodiazepines such as diazepam are the first-line treatment for status epilepticus due to their rapid onset of action in stopping seizures. Diazepam can be given rectally when IV access is not available, making it the most appropriate in this emergency situation. C. Phenobarbital: Phenobarbital may be used for seizure control but is not considered a first-line treatment in status epilepticus. Its onset of action is slower compared to benzodiazepines, and it requires parenteral administration for effectiveness. D. Levetiracetam: Levetiracetam is commonly used for maintenance therapy in seizure disorders. However, it is not the initial emergency drug of choice for status epilepticus due to its slower action compared to benzodiazepines.