SEIZURES Flashcards
What are the 3 seizure classifications?
- Generalized (Full brain)
- Focal onset (partial on one side of the brain)
- Unknown onset
TONIC CLONIC
Grand Mal seizure. Falls & shakes up to 3 minutes.
After how many minutes is a seizure considered a medical emergency?
5 minutes or more
ABSENSE SEIZURES
Brief (like daydreaming). Recovery almost instant. Controlled with meds.
ATONIC SEIZURE
Body goes limp (drop attacks). About 15 seconds. (Affects muscles)
MYOCLONIC SEIZURES
Awake and aware. Jerks, affects muscles of the neck, shoulders and upper arms.
FOCAL MOTOR AND FOCAL NON- MOTOR
Focal: originate in one area of the brain.
PSYCHOGENIC NONEPILEPTIC SEIZURE
Not caused by electrical brain
ACUTE SEIZURE
Happen for the first time, sometimes from a new medical.
When do you call 911 for a seizure?
- No known history
- Difficulty Breathing
- 5+ minutes long
- Recovery slow
- Headache severe or numbness
- Other severe signs
What 10 steps should you follow when someone has a seizure?
- Cushion head
- Stay with them
- Losen any tight neckwear
- Turn on side
- Move dangerous objects
- Look for Med ID (bracelet, necklace)
- Note time seizure starts and ends
- Offer help and assurance
- Notify parents/ guardians
- Assure other students who may be worried.
STATUS EPILEPTICUS
5+ minutes seizure. Can cause brain damage.
SEIZURES
Result of excessive and chaotic discharge in the brain
GENERALIZED SEIZURES
Originates on both sides of the brain
UNKNOWN SEIZURE
Unknown origin of the brain
FOCAL AWARE
Able to recall events during seizure
VOCAL IMPARED AWARENESS
Displays changes in level of consciousness. May display unexpected behaviors, such as remove clothes or verbal outbursts.
- Generalized seizures all cause impaired awareness.
MOTOR SYMPTOMS- CLONIC
Sustained rhythmic jerking
MOTOR SYMPTOMS- ATONIC
Muscles become weak or limp
MOTOR SYMPTOMS- TONIC
Muscles become tense or rigid
MOTOR SYMPTOMS- MYOCLONUS
Brief muscle twitching
MOTOR SYMPTOMS- EPILEPTIC SPASMS
Body flexes and extends repeatedly
MOTOR SYMPTOMS
May include:
Clonic
Atonic
Tonic
Myoclonus
Epileptic spasms
- motor symptoms may include all of the above or repetitive movements such as clapping or running off the hands, lip smacking, or chewing or running.
NON-MOTOR SYMPTOMS- “ABSENCE SEIZURES”
Staring spells or brief twitches (myoclonus) that affect specific parts of the body of just eye lids.
- Changes in sensations, emotions, thinking, autonomic functions (stomach issues, goosebumps, heart racing, waves of heat or cold, etc. ) or lack of movement (behavior arrest).
SEIZURE TRIGGERS
Noise
Stress
Computer screens
Flashing lights
Illness
Tiredness
Dehydration
FIRST AID FOR SEIZURES:
- Cushion head, remove glasses
- Don’t put anything in mouth
- Losen tight clothing
- Turn on side
- Time seizure with watch
- remove students from area
- look for ID (bracelet, necklace, etc. )
- Reassure and offer help
- Stay with them until help arrives
- document all observations on seizure observation record.
WHEN TO CALL 911 FOR A SEIZURE:
- No known seizure history
- Traumatic event happened to trigger seizure
- Longer than 5 minutes (unless otherwise noted on health plan)
- Different from any other previous seizure for student
- Repeated seizures without gaining consciousness
- Student had diabetes or is pregnant
- Seizure occurs in water
- Parent/ guardian request emergent evaluation
- Medications have been given
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT CAN CAUSE SEIZURES?
- Head injury
- Heat related injury
- Low blood sugar
- Poisoning
- Cardiac arrest
WHEN SHOULD YOU OFFER FIRST AID FOR A SEIZURE?
After the seizure is over. It’s not unusual for the person to be slow to respond, feel confused, or even fall asleep.
