Seizures

Question 1

What are generalized seizures?

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Answer 1

Involve the whole brain

Question 2

What is a tonic-clonic reaction / seizure?

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Answer 2

BOTH sides of the body react

Question 3

What are partial seizures?

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Answer 3

begin in ONE part of the brain

Question 4

What are simple partial seizures?

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Answer 4

consciousness remains intact

Question 5

What are complex partial seizures?

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Answer 5

impairment of consciousness

Question 6

What is the difference in generalized & focal siezures?

Answer 6

Generalized occur throughout the WHOLE brain

Focal seizures begin in ONE part of the brain

Question 7

What is Aura?

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Answer 7

portion of seizure that occurs BEFORE consciousness is lost

May be a:
* taste
* feeling
* sensation
* sound

Question 8

What is the ictal phase of a seizure?

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Answer 8

ACTUAL seizure activity

Question 9

What is the post-ictal phase of a seizure?

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Answer 9

Time AFTER a seizure

Question 10

What is the intraictal phase of a seizure?

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Answer 10

Time BETWEEN seizures

Question 11

What is epilepsy?

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Answer 11

a group of syndromes characterized by unprovoked, reoccuring seizures

Question 12

What are potential complications associated with seizures?

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Answer 12

Injury from falls, bumps, or self-inflicted bites

Aspiration Pneumonia
* put patient on their side, use suction, & elevate HOB

Status Epilepticus (uncontrolled seizures)

Question 13

What is Status Epilepticus?

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Answer 13

Continuous seizure or a series of seizures from which a patient never recovers consciousness in between attacks

Question 14

What can Status Epilepticus lead to?

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Answer 14

↓ energy, ↑ O2 consumption, & ↑ metabolic demands leads to cerebral anoxia & edema

Question 15

What medications are used to stop Status Epilepticus?

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Answer 15

Ativan & Valium

Question 16

What medications are used to maintain a seizure free state in Status Epilepticus?

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Answer 16

Phenytoin & Phenobarbital

Question 17

Status Epilepticus

1.) What can it cause?

2.) What is the #1 priority?

3.) What medications are used to stop the seizures?

4.) What medications are used to maintain a seizure-free state?

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Answer 17

1.) Can cause Cerebral Anoxia & Edema
* due to decreased energy, increased O2 consumption, & increased metabolic demands

2.) #1 priority = STOP SEIZURE

3.) Ativan (lorazepam) & Valium (diazepam) used to stop seizures
* IV push is best

4.) Phenytoin & Phenobarbital used to maintain seizure-free state

Question 18

What diagnostics & assessments are used for seizures?

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Answer 18

EEGs

Labs
* check drug levels, Na+, electrolytes, glucose, & ABGs

CT

MRIs

Question 19

Nursing Interventions for Seizures

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Answer 19

• ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation)
• Safe environment
• Observe & record seizure activity & length
• Patent IV

Question 20

What are the first line medications used in the treatment of seizures?

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Answer 20

Dilantin
* partial & general seizures

Depakote
* partial seizures

Tegretol
* partial & general seizures

Question 21

Medical Management of Seizures

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Answer 21

• Ketogenic Diet (high fat & low carb)
• Vagus nerve stimulator

Question 22

What is primary headache?

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Answer 22

Headache has no known cause

• includes migraine, tension headache, & cluster headache

Question 23

What is secondary headache?

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Answer 23

HAS a known cause

• cause may be brain tumor or aneurysm

Question 24

What is the difference in primary & secondary headaches?

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Answer 24

Primary = NO known cause

Secondary = KNOWN cause

Question 25

When doing an assessment on patients with headaches, it’s important to ask the patient about the history & use of which medications? & substances

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Answer 25

• Nitrates
• EtOH use
• Vasodilators
• Histamines