Seizure Disorders (Exam 2)

Question 1

What is a seizure?

Answer 1

Finite event caused by excessive discharge of cerebral neurons

Question 2

What is epilepsy?

Answer 2

• Chronic disorder of recurrent seizures
• Chronic medical condition produced by temporary changes in the electrical function of the brain causing seizures which affect awareness, movement or sensation

Question 3

What is the pathophysiology of seizures?

Answer 3

• Disruption of the normal physiochemical mechanism of nerve cells

Question 4

What is the pathophysiology of seizures when accompanied by focal lesion or CNS immaturity?

Answer 4

• Hyperexcitable neurons in partially depolarized state near lesion
• Susceptible to activation by hyperthermia, hypoxia, hypoglycemia, hypercalcemia

Question 5

What is a simple partial seizure?

Answer 5

• Focal seizures
• Limited to one area of brain
• Consciousness maintained

Question 6

What is a complex partial seizure?

Answer 6

• Repetitive behaviors present
• Consciousness is altered or lost

Question 7

What is an absence seizure (petit mal)?

Answer 7

• Generalized seizure
• Minor convulsion muscular activity with sudden cessation of conscious activity

Question 8

What is a myoclonic seizure?

Answer 8

• Generalized seizure
• Sudden brief, single or repetitive muscle
• Consciousness is generally maintained

Question 9

What is a tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure?

Answer 9

• Generalized seizure
• Sudden loss of consciousness
• Falls are common
• Generalized rigidity phase followed by rapid generalized jerking phase

Question 10

What is convulsive status epilepticus?

Answer 10

• Generalized tonic clonic seizure are prolonged & repeated with no recovery in between
• Medical emergency
• Associated w/ tumor, CNS, infection or drug abuse

Question 11

What is an aura?

Answer 11

Specific feeling/experience an individual experiences as the onset of a seizure

Question 12

How are seizures diagnosed?

Answer 12

• EEG
• Metabolic studies
• X ray
• MRI or CT

Question 13

What is the immediate management of seizure?

Answer 13

Protect from harm
- lower pt to floor
- Soft object under head
- turn head to side if vomiting to prevent aspiration
- Do not try to stop movements nor force anything into mouth

Question 14

What are some ways to control seizures ?

Answer 14

• Support or education
• Meds
• Diet
• Surgery

Question 15

What is the prognosis of epilepsy?

Answer 15

• In idiopathic epilepsy if dx before age of 10 = 75% remission rate
• Generally not life threatening