seizures Flashcards
a seizure is a result of?
paroxysmal excessive discharge of cerebral neurons resulting in transient impairment or loss of consciousness
true or false
there is no single brain lesion that causes seizures
true
______ is a chronic disorder characterized by recurrent seizures
epilepsy
_____ % have epilepsy before the onset of age 20
75
true or false
anxiety can be a problem of epilepsy?
true
Partial seizures are the most frequent and severe epilepsy in _______
adults
True or False
Partial Seizures have clinical or electroencephalographic (EEG) evidence of a local onset
true
Partial seizures is characterized by the locus of onset of? (4 things)
temporal
frontal
parietal
occipital
With simple partial seizures (focal) _____ hemisphere involvement occurs and the _______ is preserved
unilateral
consciousness
Simple Partial Seizures (Focal) may manifest as focal?
motor symptoms: jerking; twitching
somatosensory symptoms: paresthesias; tingling; light flashes; buzzing; abnormal sensations of taste and smell
autonomic symptoms: nausea; pallor; flushing; pupillary dilation
cognitive and affective symptoms: illusions; hallucinations; sudden fear
True or False
Complex Partial Seizures are associated with alternation but no loss of consciousness
False
Associated with alteration or loss of consciousness
Complex Partial Seizures involve
Bilateral hemispheric involvement
Complex Partial Seizures: Person appears?
dazed and confused with random walking, mumbling, head turning, or pulling at clothing
True or False
Complex Partial Seizures: Automatic behaviors may be present, but cannot be recalled by the individual
true
Partial Seizure Secondarily Generalized is?
Generalized tonic-clonic seizure that develops from either a simple partial or complex partial seizure
Has convulsive manifestations
Generalized seizure: localized onset is ??
NOT evident
Generalized seizure: 6 types? (GAS MAT)
Generalized absence seizures (petit mal) Atypical absence seizures Status epilepticus Myoclonic seizures Atonic seizures Tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal)
Generalized Absence Seizures =
petit mal
Generalized Absence Seizures are frequent in ______ and usually ____
children
disappear in adolescence
Generalized Absence Seizures: person has sudden _____ and often______
cessation of ongoing conscious activity
stares into space
True of False
Generalized Absence Seizures: onset and end are abrupt and brief and the individual is aware of the seizure activity?
False
unaware of seizure activity
Atypical Absence Seizures are similar to?
generalized absence seizures
Myoclonic Seizures are
Sudden, brief, single or repetitive muscle contractions involving one body part or the entire body
Atonic Seizures are
Brief loss of consciousness and postural tone NOT associated with tonic muscular contractions
Tonic-Clonic Seizure =
Grand Mal
Tonic-Clonic Seizure: person has ______ of control
total loss
Tonic-Clonic Seizure: The tonic phase with generalized rigidity usually last _____ seconds, ______ may cease briefly, and _______ may occur
10 seconds
respiration
incontinence of bowl/bladder
Tonic-Clonic Seizure: after the tonic phase, the clonic phase occurs with _______ movement that last ______
generalized jerking
1-2 minutes
Tonic-Clonic Seizure: a short seizure= _______ while a prolonged seizure= ________
rapid recovery
induce a deep sleep
following a Tonic-Clonic Seizure, individuals may experience?
Altered speech Transient paralysis or ataxia Headache Disorientation Muscle Soreness
True or False:
Grand Mal seizures may be recurring, before or after consciousness is returned and are less common than partial seizures?
true
Status Epilepticus is
Generalized seizures (usually tonic-clonic) are so prolonged or repeated that recovery does not occur between attacks
True or False
Status Epilepticus is not a medical emergency
False
it is
Status Epilepticus: frequent causes in adults are?
tumor
CNS infection
drug abuse
Status Epilepticus: frequent causes for children under 3 are?
febrile seizures are common cause
what are Causes of Symptomatic Seizure Activity?
Changes in hormone levels Head trauma Intracranial mass CNS infections CVA Toxic substances/poison Hypoxia Congenital brain disorders Degenerative brain disorders (dementia) Pneumonia (esp. for elderly) Idiopathic
what are some events that may trigger a seizure?
Stress Poor nutrition Missed medication Skipping meals Flickering lights Illness Fever and allergies Lack of sleep Emotions: anger, worry, fear Heat and Humidity
when taking seizure medicine, avoid ______ because it can increase sedation?
alcohol
True or False
A person who isn’t responding to their medication can stop at any time?
False
Never abruptly stop your medication – it can lead to seizures!
what kind of side effects should you report to pts doctor when pt is on seizure medication?
excess fatigue or drowsiness
over sedation, agitation, or confusion
tremors, weight gain, diarrhea or irregular menses
dizziness or nausea
true or false
you can swallow your tongue during a seizure?
false
true or false
while someone is having a seizure, it is best to restrain them so they don’t hurt themselves
False
Do not use restraint, the seizure will run its course and stop
true or false
you can’t die from epilepsy
False
Status epilepticus can cause death. It should be treated as a medical emergency.
what do you do is a pt is has a seizure?
Prevent or slow a fall
Protect the patient from the environment
Rolling patient onto their side may help to keep the airway clear
Observation and documentation (timing) are important for medication adjustments (especially mouth frothing, eye deviations, incontinence )
other PT implications for seizures include?
Education and medical reinforcement
Building confidence with mobility
Evaluation of home, work and school environments for recommendations
Leisure recommendations
Swimming with direct supervision
Closely monitor patients during activity
Closely monitor patients following activity as seizures may follow (20 minutes)
Patient limitations/precautions may change over time
