Mock test for Seizure Flashcards
Excessive abnormal electrical discharge from cortical neurons
Causes: idiopathic, CNS infection, fever, metabolic
disturbance, cerebral trauma
is the physical findings or changes in behavior that
occur after an episode of abnormal electrical activity in the
brain.
Seizures
occur when a person’s body shakes rapidly and
uncontrollably. à violent, involuntary contractions of the voluntary muscles.
Convulsions
may precede the seizure by hours or days.
–in behavior or mood
typically occur during the _____. This phase may include an aura–subjective
sensation, such as unusual smell or
flashing light
PRODROME
the seizure itself. In some cases, a scream or cry
heralds its onset.
ICTAL PHASE
takes place immediately after the seizure.
The patient typically exhibits
lethargy, confusion, and behavioral
changes
POSTICTAL PHASE
recurrent unprovoked seizures
a chronic seizure disorder, or group of disorders,
characterized by seizures that usually recur
unpredictably in the absence of a consistent
provoking factor.
first described by Hughlings Jackson as an
intermittent derangement of the nervous
system due to a sudden, excessive, disorderly
discharge of cerebral neurons.
Epilepsy
2 kinds of Partial Seizure:
simple and complex seizure
6 kinds of Generalized Seizure
GTC, absence, myoclonic, Clonic, Tonic, Atonic
throw or toss with a quick abrupt
motion
JERKING
an abnormal sensation, typically tingling or pricking
PARESTHESIA
language disorder marked by deficiency in the generation of speech
DYSPHASIA
rare movements when the present feels like the past
Deja vu
most common seizure type
-occurring in approximately 80% of epileptic
patients.
- clinical and EEG changes indicate initial
activation of a system of neurons limited to
part of one cerebral hemisphere that may
spread to other or all brain areas.
Partial Seizure
most common seizure type
-occurring in approximately 80% of epileptic
patients.
- clinical and EEG changes indicate initial
activation of a system of neurons limited to
part of one cerebral hemisphere that may
spread to other or all brain areas.
generally do not cause loss of consciousness.
Partial Seizure
accompanied by impaired consciousness;
however in some cases, the impairment precedes
or follows the seizure.
§ Purposeless behavior is common.
§ The affected person may have a glassy stare, may
wander about aimlessly, and may speak
unintelligibly.
§ Psychomotor (temporal lobe) epilepsy may lead
to aggressive behavior (e.g., outbursts of rage or
violence).
Postictal confusion usually persists for 1-2
minutes after the seizure ends.
COMPLEX PARTIAL SEIZURES
generally do not cause loss of consciousness
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS: MOTOR SIGNS: convulsive
jerking, chewing motions and lip smackling.
Ø SENSORY AND SOMATOSENSORY
MANIFESTATIONS: paresthesias and auras.
Ø AUTONOMIC SIGNS: sweating, flushing and pupil
dilation.
Ø BEHAVIORAL MANIFESTATIONS: sometimes
accompanied by impaired consciousness, include déjà
vu experiences, structured hallucinations, and dysphasia.
BEHAVIORAL MANIFESTATIONS:
sometimes accompanied by impaired
consciousness, include
§ déjà vu experiences,
§ structured hallucinations,
§ and dysphasia.
SIMPLE PARTIAL SEIZURES
(e.g., picking at clothes) is
common and may follow visual, auditory or
olfactory hallucinations)
Automatism
¡ Entire brain is involved
¡ motor manifestations are bilateral.
¡ diffuse, affecting both cerebral hemispheres.
¡ clinical and EEG changes indicate initial involvement of both
hemispheres
generalized seizures
§ present as alterations of consciousness (absences)
lasting 10-30 seconds.
¡ Staring (with occasional eye blinking) and
loss or reduction in postural tone is typical.
¡ Enuresis
brief loss of consciousness
ABSENCE (Petit mal) SEIZURES
(bilateral massive epileptic myoclonus)
§ present as involuntary jerking of the facial, limb, or
trunk muscles, possibly in rhythmic manner.
§ consist of sporadic jerks, usually on both sides of
the body. Patients sometimes describe the jerks as
brief electrical shocks. When violent, these seizures
may result in dropping or involuntarily throwing
objects.
MYOCLONIC SEIZURES
§ characterized by sustained muscle contractions
alternating with relaxation
§ are repetitive, rhythmic jerks that involve both
sides of the body at the same time.
CLONIC SEIZURES
involve sustained tonic muscle extension
(stiffening).
TONIC SEIZURES
cause sudden loss of consciousness.
unconsciousness, convulsion & muscle rigidity
The individual becomes rigid and falls to the
ground. Respirations are interrupted. The
leg extended, and the back arches;
contraction of the diaphragm may induce
grunting. This tonic phase lasts for about 1
minute.
A clonic phase follows, marked by rapid
bilateral muscle jerking, muscle flaccidity,
and hyperventilation. Incontinence, tongue
biting, tachycardia, and heavy salivation
sometimes occur.
¡ Postictal phase
§ the individual may experience headache,
confusion, disorientation, nausea, drowsiness,
and muscle soreness. This phase may last for
hours.
GENERALIZED TONIC-CLONIC SEIZURES
(grand mal)
seizures occur repeatedly with no recovery of
consciousness between attacks
status epilepticus
characterized by a sudden loss of postural tone so
that the individual falls to the ground. They
occur primarily in children.
ATONIC SEIZURES (drop attacks)
have no identifiable cause.
PRIMARY (idiopathic) SEIZURES
occur _______ to an identifiable cause
¡ Intracranial neoplasms
¡ Infectious diseases (meningitis, influenza,
toxoplasmosis, mumps, measles, syphilis)
¡ High fever (in children)
¡ Head trauma
¡ Congenital diseases
¡ Metabolic disorders (hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia)
¡ Alcohol or drug withdrawal
¡ Lipid storage disorders
¡ Developmental abnormalities
SECONDARY SEIZURES (symptomatic or
acquired seizures)
GTC and partial seizures
valproic acid, carbamazepine, phenytoin
ABSENCE Drugs
ethosuximide, valproic acid
