Seizure Disorders

Question 1

Generalized Seizure

Answer 1

Produced by electrical impulses from the entire brain.

Question 2

Partial seizures

Answer 2

Produced by electrical impulses in a certain focus in the brain.

Question 3

Tonic Clonic Seizure

Answer 3

Grand Mal
Most common
Dramatic loss of consciousness, collapse
Urinary incontinence, amnesia of the event.

Question 4

Absence Seizure

Answer 4

Brief episode of impaired conciousless
No aura, no post-ictal confusion
Typically last less than 20 seconds
Usually childhood or adolescence

Question 5

Simple partial seizure

Answer 5

Awareness and memory are preserved
Consciousness preserved
Alterations in mood and senses
Usually due to local pathology

Question 6

Almost all seizures after the age of 20 are?

Answer 6

Focal seizures

Question 7

Complex partial seizure

Answer 7

Affect a larger part of the brain than simple.
Most common type in children
Last 30 seconds to 2 mins.
Can be semi-functional during, and post-ictal after

Question 8

Febrile seizures

Answer 8

Most common cause of seizures in children
Generally have a temp over 102
Occurs btw ages of 6 mo and 4 years
30% have recurrence

Question 9

Status epilepticus

Answer 9

Any seizure lasting longer than 30 mins or a flurry of seizures with no return to previous level of consciousness between.

Question 10

IM Tx for status epilepticus

Answer 10

Midazolam (Versed) 2.5 mg IM (TOC)
or
DIazepam (Valium) 5mg IV

Question 11

Seizure treatment indications

Answer 11

Usually after the second seizure, or after the first if risk for second is high.

Question 12

First-line meds for epilepsy

Answer 12

Dilantin(phenytoin)
Tegretol(carbamazapine)
Often a first choice for partial and generalized tonic-clonic.
Depacon(valproic acid)
Phenobarbital
Zarontin(ethosuximide)
Valium(diazepam)
Ativan(lorazepam)
Klonipin(clonazepam)

Question 13

Keppra (Levetiracetam)

Answer 13

Anticonvulsant (duh)
Decreases excitement in brain
Controls epilepsy but does not cure it
Cannot D/C suddenly

Question 14

Topiramate (Topamax)

Answer 14

Prevents seizures and migraines

Avoid in pregnancy