Chapter 19 - Seizures and Syncope

Question 1

a sudden onset of random, continuing discharges of electrical activity in the brain, which can lead to unusual manifestations, from staring spells to gross muscle contraction.

Answer 1

seizures

Question 2

jerky muscle contractions

Answer 2

convulsion

Question 3

chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizures

Answer 3

epilepsy

Question 4

________ seizures involve both hemispheres of the brain and the reticular activating system, which typically results in a loss of consciousness. activity is usually characterized by rhythmic, tonic-clonic muscle contractions (convulsions).

Answer 4

generalized

Question 5

______ seizures are typically related to abnormal activity in just one cerebral hemisphere. either simple of complex.
simple - remains conscious
complex - alt. mental or unresponsive

Answer 5

partial

Question 6

_____seizures usually due to a genetic or unknown cause.

Answer 6

primary

Question 7

______ or ______ seizures do not result from a genetic cause but occur as the result of an insult to the body, such as fever, infection, hypoxia, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, drug intoxication, drug withdrawl, eclampsia in pregnancy, degenerative brain diseases, or imbalances in the electorlytes in the body. do not produce partial seizures.

Answer 7

secondary or reactive

Question 8

a Pt. who suffers generalized motor seizures that last more than 5 minutes or seizures that occur consecutively without a period of responsiveness between them is considered to be in _____________.

Answer 8

status epilepticus

Question 9

this type of seizure usually begins with abnormal electrical activity low in the cerebral cortex that spreads downward, affecting the reticular activating system (RAS). the RAS is responsible for the wake/sleep activity.

Answer 9

generalized tonic-clonic seizure (grand mal seizure)

Question 10

the _____ serves as a warning that a seizure is going to being and involves some type of sensory perception by the Pt. may be a sound, abnormal twitch, axiety, dizziness, a smell or odor, an unpleasant feeling in the stomach, visual disturbance, or odd taste.

Answer 10

aura

Question 11

the Pt. _______ sometime after the aura

Answer 11

loses consciousness

Question 12

seizure phase where the Pts muscles become contracted and tense, and the Pt exhibits extreme muscular rigidity with arching of the back.

Answer 12

tonic phase

Question 13

seizure phase where the Pt has extreme muscular rigidity with hyperextension of the back.

Answer 13

hypertonic phase

Question 14

seizure phase where muscle spasms alternate with relaxation, producing typical violent and jerky seizure activity.

Answer 14

clonic phase (convulsion)

Question 15

seizure phase where the Pt begins to recover. mental status is altered and may range from complete unresponsiveness to confusion and disorientation. progressively improves.

Answer 15

postictal state

Question 16

this type of seizure involves only one cerebral hemisphere. generally produces jerky muscle activity in one area of the body, arm, leg, or face. Pt remains awake and aware of the seizure

Answer 16

simple partial seizure.

Question 17

seizures which occur most commonly in children, characterized by a blank stare, beginning and ending abruptly, and lasting only a few seconds. Pt is unaware of what is occuring.

Answer 17

absence seizure

Question 18

seizure caused by a high fever, most common in children between 6mo and 6 yrs of age. secondary or reactive generalized seizures.

Answer 18

febrile seizures (fever)

Question 19

a sudden temporary loss of consciousness. occurs when, for some reason, there is a temporary lack of blood flow to the brain and the brain is deprived of oxygen for a brief period.

Answer 19

syncope (fainting)