Central Nervous System Flashcards
(94 cards)
Definition of Seizure
Abnormal or uncontrolled neuronal discharges in the brain
Defintion of Convulsion
“involuntary violent spasm of large muscles of face, neck, arms or legs.
Definition of Eclampsia.
“severe hypertensive disorder of pregnancy characterized by seizures, com, and perinatal mortality.”
Epilepsy is
when someone has Chronic seizures.
An involuntary violent spasm of large muscles of face, neck, arms, and legs is a ________.
Convulsion
An Abnormal or uncontrolled neuronal discharges in the brain is a ____________.
Seizure.
severe hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, characterized by seizures, coma, and perinatal mortality is the definition of ________.
Eclampsia.
Difference between simple and complex partial (focal) epileptic seizures
simple= Olfactory and visual hallucinations, intense emotions, twitching of arms, legs and face;
Complex = Preceding aura and postictal confusion, no response to verbal comands.
Difference between Absense, Atonic, and Tonic-Clonic seizures
Absence (petit mal)
• Lasting a few seconds
• Seen most often in children (child stares into space, does not respond to verbal stimulation, may have fluttering eyelids or jerking)
• Misdiagnosed often (especially in child) as ADD or daydreaming
Atonic (drop attacks)
• Falling or stumbling for no reason
• Lasting a few seconds
Tonic-clonic (grand mal)
• Preceeded by aura
• Intense muscle contraction (tonic phase) followed by alternating contraction and relaxation of muscles (clonic phase)
• Crying at beginning as air leaves lungs; loss of bowel/bladder control; shallow breathing with periods of apnea; usually lasting 1–2 minutes
disorientation after a seizure is called
postictal state
myoclonic seizures are:
large jerking movements of a major muscle group. Think: myo (single muscle) and clonic (like grand mal/tonic-clonic.)
status epilepticus seizures are:
a medical emergecy, they are continuous seizue activity which can lead to coma and death.
True or False: Tonic Clonic Seizures are such a bad problem, that doctors usually start the pts on large doses of meds to make them go away fast.
False. The meds have really bad side effects (suidical thoughts/tendencies)and so they are usually put on a very small dose and titer up to a workable value over the course of like a month. It takes a while.
Three possible MOAs of seizure medications
- Stimulating an influx of Cl ions; 2. delaying influx of Na+; and 3. Delaying an influx of Ca2+ ions
True or False: Seizure Meds that work with Na+ ions blocks the channels
False. They just desensitize them.
What’s a side effect you’re going to want to look out for teens on this medication (and adults, too)?
Suicidal behavior. (This is prevalent in adults, too, of course, but adults also have problems with kidney/liver failure. teens are already super hormonal/anxty… so it’s pertinent to watch for suidical tendencies even more closely.)
Patient teaching of Barbituates and Gaba Agents
- Use reliable contraception
- Immediately report pregnancy
- Report excessive signs of bleeding
- Report drowsiness and bone pain
Drugs that potentiate the gaba action include:
Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Miscellaneous GABA agents
Hydantoins are used to treat what forms for epilepsy?
All forms except absence seizures
Phenytoin related drugs are used to treat what types of seizures?
Absence Seizures
True or False. If the pt hasn’t had a seizure in 2 years, they can stop taking the medication.
False. If they are free after 3 years, they can start taking less of their medication. Then if after taking less of their medication they are still taking less of their medication, they are still seizure free, they can take even, less… etc etc. Resume if seizures resume.
Pts coming off of seizure meds should be aware of
rebound seizure
Parkinsons disease is a progressive ______ of dopamine.
loss.
Symptoms known as Parkinsonism include:
Tremors Muscle rigidity Bradykinesia Postural instability Affective flattening
