Chapter 19 Flashcards
Seizure
Sudden alteration in brain function due to electrical discharges.
Convulsion
Muscle contractions occurring in some seizure types.
Nonconvulsive seizure
Seizure type without muscle contractions.
Epilepsy
Chronic disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures.
Postictal state
Recovery period after a seizure, often with confusion.
Generalized tonic-clonic seizure
Most common type, also called grand mal seizure.
Recruitment
Process of neurons discharging synchronous electrical impulses.
Cerebral cortex
Brain region where seizure initiation often occurs.
Thalamus
Brain structure involved in seizure activity.
Underlying defect
Condition that may cause seizures, not a disease itself.
Incidence of epilepsy
High in children and those over 60 years.
Postictal symptoms
Weakness, disorientation, and fatigue after a seizure.
Seizure duration
Typical seizures last a few minutes.
Seizure misdiagnosis
Seizures can be mistaken for strokes or fainting.
Medical conditions causing seizures
Injuries or illnesses can also trigger seizure activity.
Life-threatening conditions
EMTs must assess for these during seizure management.
Airway compromise
Prolonged seizures can lead to breathing difficulties.
Seizure assessment
Focus on managing altered mental status and safety.
Electrical impulses
Discharges from neurons that trigger seizure activity.
Seizure prevalence
Over 10% of U.S. population experiences a seizure.
Seizure types
Include both convulsive and nonconvulsive categories.
Traumatic causes
Injuries may lead to seizures in patients without history.
Patient reassurance
EMTs should provide comfort during and after seizures.
Brain Cell Damage
Injury from prolonged excessive neuron discharge.
Hypoxia
Oxygen deficiency leading to brain injury.
Acidosis
Excess acidity in body fluids affecting brain function.
Hyperthermia
Elevated body temperature causing potential brain damage.
Hypotension
Low blood pressure impacting cerebral blood flow.
Reduced Blood Flow
Decreased circulation to the brain, risking injury.
Seizure
Abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Convulsion
Involuntary muscle contractions during a seizure.
Absence Seizure
Brief loss of consciousness, often mistaken for daydreaming.
Complex Partial Seizure
Altered awareness with possible behavioral disturbances.
Primary Seizures
Unprovoked seizures, often due to genetic factors.
Secondary Seizures
Provoked seizures resulting from bodily insults.
Epilepsy
Condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures.
Generalized Seizures
Involve both brain hemispheres, often causing loss of consciousness.
Partial Seizures
Abnormal activity localized to one brain hemisphere.
Simple Partial Seizure
Awake and aware, with no cognitive impairment.
Complex Partial Seizure
Awake but not aware, with impaired cognition.
Reticular Activating System (RAS)
Brain system necessary for wakefulness and alertness.
Cognition
Mental processes including perception and memory.
Secondary (Provoked) Seizures
Seizures due to external factors like infection or toxins.
Eclampsia
Seizures during pregnancy, often related to hypertension.
Electrolyte Imbalance
Disruption in body electrolytes leading to seizure activity.
Positive Pressure Ventilation
Technique to assist breathing during hypoxia-related seizures.
Secondary Seizures
Seizures due to body insults, potentially life-threatening.
Status Epilepticus
Continuous seizure activity lasting over 5 minutes.
Generalized Convulsive Status Epilepticus
Persistent postictal depressed mental status between seizures.
Nonconvulsive Seizures
Continuous or fluctuating ‘epileptic twilight’ state.
Repeated Partial Seizures
Focal signs without altered awareness between seizures.
Prolonged Seizure
Seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes.
Hypoxia
Insufficient oxygen supply to the brain.
Rhabdomyolysis
Muscle damage releasing proteins harmful to kidneys.
Aspiration
Inhalation of foreign material into lungs.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Damage to the brain from external force.
Hyperglycemia
Elevated blood sugar levels.
Hypoglycemia
Low blood sugar levels.
Eclampsia
Seizures during pregnancy due to hypertension.
Dysrhythmias
Abnormal heart rhythms affecting blood flow.
Hypertension
High blood pressure condition.
Blood Electrolyte Imbalance
Disruption in sodium and calcium levels.
Hyperthermia
Elevated body temperature, potentially causing seizures.
Infection
Pathogen-induced inflammation potentially triggering seizures.
Poisoning
Toxic substance exposure causing neurological effects.
Seizure Disorder
Chronic condition characterized by recurrent seizures.
Idiopathic Seizures
Seizures with no known cause.
Generalized Seizures
Involve the entire brain during episodes.
Partial Seizures
Involve only one part of the brain.
Tonic-Clonic Seizure
Loss of consciousness with muscle rigidity and convulsions.
Absence Seizure
Brief loss of consciousness; common in children.
Myoclonic Seizure
Sporadic jerking of isolated muscle groups.
Tonic Seizure
Characterized by muscle stiffness and rigidity.
Atonic Seizure
Sudden loss of muscle tone; drop attack.
Febrile Seizure
Tonic-clonic seizure due to high fever.
Focal Seizures
Involve one hemisphere; awareness varies.
Simple Partial Seizure
Awake and aware with retained cognition.
Simple Partial Motor
Jerking or stiffening in one body area.
Simple Partial Sensory
Unusual sensations in vision, hearing, or touch.
Simple Partial Autonomic
Strange sensations; changes in heart rate.
Simple Partial Psychic
Memory disturbances; emotional changes; déjà vu.
Complex Partial Seizure
Awake but unaware; may have automatisms.
Focal Onset Aware Seizure
Awareness retained during seizure activity.
Focal Onset Unaware Seizure
Awake but unaware; loss of cognition.
Secondary Generalization
Partial seizure progresses to generalized tonic-clonic.
Reticular Activating System (RAS)
Regulates wakefulness; affected during generalized seizures.
Postictal Phase
Recovery phase after a seizure; confusion common.
Aura
Preceding sensation before a seizure starts.
Convulsive Seizures
Involves jerking movements; includes tonic-clonic.
Nonconvulsive Seizures
Absence of convulsions; includes absence and myoclonic.
Unconsciousness
Patient is unresponsive and unaware of surroundings.
Supine position
Lying flat on the back with legs extended.
Aura
Sensory warning preceding a seizure event.
Loss of consciousness
Immediate unresponsiveness following the aura.
Tonic phase
Muscle rigidity and contraction during seizure.
Hypertonic phase
Extreme muscle rigidity with back hyperextension.
Clonic phase
Alternating muscle spasms and relaxation during seizure.
Convulsion
Violent, jerky movements characteristic of clonic phase.
Postictal state
Recovery phase with altered mental status after seizure.
Hemiparesis
Temporary weakness on one side of the body.
Duration of tonic phase
Typically lasts for a few seconds.
Duration of clonic phase
Usually lasts only a few minutes.
Sympathetic discharge
Increased heart rate and breathing post-seizure.
Tachycardia
Increased heart rate often following a seizure.
Tachypnea
Rapid breathing that may occur post-seizure.
Status epilepticus
Prolonged seizure requiring immediate medical intervention.
Absence seizure
Non-convulsive seizure with brief loss of awareness.
Petit mal seizure
Former term for absence seizure, common in children.
Duration of absence seizure
Lasts only a few seconds.
Lack of vocalization
Absence of speech during an absence seizure.
Blank stare
Characteristic feature of absence seizures.
Recovery from absence seizure
Quick return to full awareness after seizure.
Emergency medical care
Immediate assessment and intervention for seizure patients.
Atypical Absence Seizure
Involves complex motor signs, inconsistent confusion.
Emergency Care for Absence Seizure
Needed if seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.
Myoclonic Seizure
Sporadic muscle jerks, described as electrical shocks.
Occurrence of Myoclonic Seizures
Common during sleep or falling asleep.
Age Factor for Myoclonic Seizures
More prevalent in children, but can occur at any age.
Aura in Myoclonic Seizures
No aura or postictal state present.
Emergency Care for Myoclonic Seizure
Necessary if seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes.
Tonic Seizure
Sudden increase in muscle tone, causing rigidity.
Consciousness during Tonic Seizure
Patient remains conscious if awake.
Duration of Tonic Seizure
Typically lasts only a few seconds.
Atonic Seizure
Total loss of muscle tone, causing drop attacks.
Presentation of Atonic Seizure
Drooping eyelids, head nodding, sudden falls.
Consciousness during Atonic Seizure
Patient remains conscious and recovers quickly.
Duration of Atonic Seizure
Typically lasts only a few seconds.
Danger of Atonic Seizure
Risk of head injury from falls.
Helmet Use for Atonic Seizures
Some patients wear helmets to prevent head injuries.
Febrile Seizure
Seizure associated with high fever, no infection.
Cause of Febrile Seizure
Magnitude and peak of fever likely triggers seizure.
Age Range for Febrile Seizures
Common in children 6 months to 5 years.
Prevalence of Febrile Seizures
About 2-5% of children with fever experience seizures.
Family History of Febrile Seizures
Slight evidence suggests familial occurrence.
Emergency Care for Febrile Seizure
Often not required, but serious evaluation needed.
Partial Seizures
Seizures starting from one brain area.
Focal Onset Seizures
Seizures originating in a specific brain region.
Simple Partial Seizure
Awake and aware during seizure activity.
Complex Partial Seizure
Awake but unaware during seizure activity.
Motor Seizures
Jerking or stiffening in one body part.
Sensory Seizures
Altered sensory perceptions during seizure.
Autonomic Seizures
Changes in autonomic body functions.
Psychic Seizures
Altered thoughts, feelings, or experiences.
Reticular Activating System
Brain system involved in consciousness.
Cerebral Hemisphere
Half of the brain involved in seizures.
ILAE
International League Against Epilepsy organization.
Jacksonian Motor Seizure
Another name for simple partial seizure.
Focal Onset Aware Seizure
Current term for simple partial seizure.
Duration of Complex Seizures
Typically lasts 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
Awareness in Simple Seizures
Patient retains consciousness and cognition.
Awareness in Complex Seizures
Patient is awake but lacks awareness.
Emergency Medical Care
Guidelines for managing seizure emergencies.
Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure
Seizure that may follow a simple partial seizure.
First-Time Seizure Protocol
Transport patient for medical evaluation.
Seizure Progression
Simple partial may progress to generalized seizure.
Garbled Speech
Common symptom in psychic seizures.
Déjà Vu
Feeling of familiarity during psychic seizure.
Jamais Vu
Feeling of unfamiliarity during familiar situations.
Partial Seizure
Localized seizure affecting one brain hemisphere.
Complex Partial Seizure
Seizure with altered mental status.