Ch. 19 Flashcards
Epilepsy
A chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures
Convulsion
Jerky muscle contractions
Seizure
A sudden and temporary alteration in brain function caused by massive continuing electrical discharges
Absence seizure
Which was once known as a petit mal seizure is most common in children
Atonic seizure
Results in the total loss of muscle tone resulting in loss of muscle strength
Myoclonic seizure
Involves sporadic brief jerks of muscle groups on both sides of the body
Tonic seizure
Characterized by a sudden onset of greatly increased muscle tone in the body arms or legs causing sudden muscular rigidity
Febrile seizure
Defined as a seizure associated with a high fever without any evidence of intracranial infection or other definite cause of seizure
Simple partial seizure
Was once known as focal motor seizure or Jacksonian motor seizure
Complex partial seizure
Usually last 30 seconds to 2 minutes
Secondarily generalized Seizures
Occur when simple partial or complex partial seizure activity spreads to both sides of the brain and involves the entire body
Aura
Serves as a warning that a seizure is going to begin and involves some type of sensory perception by a patient
Cognition
Defined as having perception attention emotion and memory and executive function
Partial seizures
Are typically related to abnormal activity in just one cerebral hemisphere
Generalized seizures
Involve both hemispheres of the brain and the rectuclar activating system
