Epilepsy and Syncope

Question 1

Focal onset aware seizures

Answer 1

• don’t result in loss of consciousness
• alter emotions or change the way things look/smell/feel/taste/sound
• begin with aura

Question 2

Focal onset impaired awareness seizures

Answer 2

• alter consciousness
• lose awareness for brief period of time
• staring
• automatisms

Question 3

Absence seizures

Answer 3

• staring
• subtle body movements
• brief lapses of awareness

Question 4

Atypical absence seizures

Answer 4

• lapses of awareness with more gradual onset, autonomic features, or loss of muscle tone

Question 5

Myoclonic seizures

Answer 5

• sudden jerks of arms and legs

Question 6

Tonic seizures

Answer 6

• stiffening of muscles

- loss of balance

Question 7

Atonic seizures

Answer 7

• drop attacks

- loss of muscle tone

Question 8

Tonic-clonic seizures

Answer 8

• loss of consciousness

- body stiffening and shaking

Question 9

What is status epilepticus?

Answer 9

• 30 minutes of continuous seizure activity
• 2 or more seizures w/o full recovery b/t seizures
• applies to any seizure type

Question 10

Describe one condition that may be confused with a seizure and how you would differentiate (diagnose) it from a seizure.

Answer 10

Stroke

• slurred speech
• asymmetrical drooping
• arm weakness

Question 11

What are automatisms?

Answer 11

Non purposeful movements with no conscious thought

ex. lip smacking, hand rubbing, vocalization, swallowing

Question 12

What is an aura?

Answer 12

a warning or a sense that something is going to happen

• happen before focal seizure
• certain area of brain is firing off (motor, visual, etc.)