Seizure Exam 2

Question 1

what is a seizure

Answer 1

a brief episode of abnormal electrical activity in the nerve cells of the brain

Question 2

what is a convulsion

Answer 2

more severe seizure characterized by involuntary spasmodic contractions of muscles

Question 3

what is myoclonic

Answer 3

brief shock like jerks of a muscle or group of muscles

Question 4

what is the seizure threshold

Answer 4

person’s likelihood to have a seizure

the higher the threshold the less likely a seizure will happen

Question 5

what are generalized onset seizures

Answer 5

neuronal activity originates simultaneously in both hemispheres of the brain
th
sub types:
- tonic-clonic
-absence seizures

Question 6

what is a tonic-clonic seizure

Answer 6

tonic phase - prolonged skeletal muscle contraction

clonic phase - alternating skeletal muscle contraction and relaxation; arms and legs jerk

Question 7

what are focal onset seizures

Answer 7

originate in a localized or FOCAL region (one lobe) of the brain

Question 8

what are the phases of a seizure

Answer 8

prodromal
aural
ictal
post-ictal

Question 9

Aura/Prodrome Phase

Answer 9

subjective sense of impending seizure
may tell us where seizure will happen
characteristics:
jerking, lethargy, mood alterations, odors, taste, sound

Question 10

ictal phase

Answer 10

the actual seizure

Question 11

post-ictal phase

Answer 11

recovery

Question 12

what is status epilepticus

Answer 12

continuing series of multiple seizures without recovery period
lasts 30 min or more

biggest concern with TONIC-CLONIC