Seizure Disorders Flashcards
Seizures:
Transient, uncontrolled electrical discharge of ________ in brain that interrupts normal function
Neurons
What are the two types of generalized onset seizures?
Tonic-Clonic, Absence
What differentiates focal-onset seizures?
retained vs impaired awareness
What happens in the tonic period of a tonic-clonic seizure?
Stiffening for 10-20 seconds
What happens in the clonic period of a tonic-clonic seizure?
Jerking for 30-40 seconds
Y/N: A patient will remember having a tonic-clonic seizure?
No
What happens in the post-ictal phase of a tonic-clonic seizure?
Patient may sleep for hours
What happens during an absence seizure?
Brief staring spell that resembles
daydreaming; last less than 10
seconds; unresponsive when
spoken to during seizure
During a focal onset seizure, a patient may (SATA):
a) Experience emotions like joy, sadness, anger, nausea
b) walk into traffic or take off clothes
c) lose consciousness
d) hear smell or taste things that aren’t real
e) experience symptoms for longer than 1 minute
A, D
In relation to affected hemispheres of the brain, what is the difference between generalized seizures and focal onset seizures?
Generalized are both sides, focal onset are one
What are the four phases of a seizure in order?
Prodromal, Aural, Ictal, Post-ictal
What is an important consideration for seizure first aid?
Maintain ABC’s
Ways to maintain safety during a seizure:
▪ Pad bed rails? (agency policy varies)
▪ Do not force objects into mouth
▪ Do not restrain movements unless it is placing patient in danger
▪ Stay with person until seizure ends
▪ Turn head to side “if” possible (Don’t force it)
Monitor during a seizure:
▪ VS, LOC, SpO2, GCS, pupil size & reactivity
▪ Time: onset & duration of seizure
▪ Accurate documentation
▪ (Cyanosis seen in tonic-clonic seizures usually self-limiting)
T/F After a seizure, a patient should be kept awake?
F, ▪ Let the person rest until he is fully awake.
▪ Be reassuring and supportive when patient is awake
