Epilepsy

Question 1

Epilepsy - what is it

Answer 1

disorder characterized by recurrent seizures

Question 2

sx

Answer 2

altered consciousness
altered motor activity (convulsion)
sensory phenomena
autonomic phenomena
cognitive phenomena

Question 3

Sx - altered motor activity (convulsion) -

Answer 3

characterized by involuntary contractions of muscles
tonic activity (stiffening and rigidity of mm)
clonic activity (rhythmic jerking of extremities)

Question 4

Common causes of seizures

Answer 4

Brain disease or trauma
Degenerative brain disease
Developmental brain defects
Drug overdose
Drug withdrawal
Electrolyte disorders
Hyperthermia
Infections
Pregnancy complications (eclampsia)

Question 5

Classification - generalized

Answer 5

tonic-clonic (grand mal)

absence (petit mal)

Question 6

Classification - generalized - grand mal (tonic clonic)

Answer 6

dramatic LOC with a cry, fall and tonic-clonic convulsions of all extremities
often with tongue biting, arrested breathing, urinary and fecal incontinence
after 2-5 min contractions subside and LOC is regained
Pt is confused, drowsy, and amnesiac about the event
Full recovery can take several hours - some are preceded by a brief aura

Question 7

Classification - generalized - absence (petit mal)

Answer 7

brief, almost imperceptible lapse of consciousness followed by immediate and full return to consciousness; posture is maintained with no convulsive muscle contractions; may occur as often as a hundred times a day

Question 8

Classification - partial

Answer 8

simple partial 
focal motor
focal motor with march (jacksonian)
temporal lobe seizure
complex partial

Question 9

Classification - partial - simple partial

Answer 9

focal, benign locally, limited to a portion of the body, consciousness preserved; usually has identifiable structural cause

Question 10

Classification - partial - focal motor

Answer 10

clonic activity involving a specific area of the body

Question 11

Classification - partial - focal motor with march (jacksonian)

Answer 11

an orderly spread or march of clonic movements from initial mm to invovle adjacent mm with spread to the entire side

Question 12

Classification - partial - temporal lobe

Answer 12

characterized by episodic changes in bx, with complex hallucinations
automatisms (lip smacking, chewing, pulling on clothing)
altered cog and emotional function
preceeded by an aura

Question 13

Classification - partial - complex partial

Answer 13

simple partial followed by impairment of consciousness

Question 14

Classification - secondarily generalized

Answer 14

simple or complex evolving into a generalized seizure

Question 15

Classification - status epilepticus

Answer 15

prolonged seizure or a series of seizures (lasting over 30 min) with very little recovery between attacks
may be life threatening, med emergency