Chapter 19 - Seizures and Syncope

Question 1

aura

Answer 1

an unusual sensory sensation that may precede a seizure episode by hours or only a few seconds

Question 2

convulsion

Answer 2

unresponsiveness accompanied by a generalized jerky muscle movement affecting the entire body

Question 3

epilepsy

Answer 3

a medical disorder characterized by recurrent seizures

Question 4

generalized tonic-clonic seizure

Answer 4

a common type of seizure that produces unresponsiveness and a convulsion that exhibits generalized jerky muscle activity. Also known as a grand mal seizure.

Question 5

postictal state

Answer 5

the recovery period that follows the clonic phase of a generalized seizure. In a postictal state the patient commonly appears weak, exhausted, confused, and disoriented and progressively improves.

Question 6

seizure

Answer 6

a sudden and temporary alteration in the mental status caused by massive electrical discharge in a group of nerve cells in the brain

Question 7

status epilepticus

Answer 7

a seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes of seizures that occur consecutively without a period of responsiveness between them. This is a serous medical emergency that may be life threatening.

Question 8

sycope

Answer 8

a brief period of unresponsiveness caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain; fainting