Seizures

Question 0

How may a seizure occur? Give 3 examples?

Answer 0

Seizures may occur spontaneously in people with epilepsy, or

1. Result of infection
2. Drug overdose
3. Head injury

Question 1

What is a seizure?

Answer 1

A seizure is abnormal firing if neurons in the brain, causing a period of involuntary contraction and relaxation of skeletal muscle

Question 2

What are 3 possible associated conditions of a seizure?

Answer 2

1. Hypoglycaemia
2. Hyperthermia
3. Traumatic injuries

Question 3

Show the steps you would take if you had a patient with a seizure?

Answer 3

1. Move objects out of the way of patient, to prevent injury
2. Allow the patient to see out the seizure
3. Once seizure has finished, administer oxygen, being wary of post ictal confusion/anger
4. Reassure patient
5. Treat associated conditions

Question 4

Name the 2 most common presentations of a a seizure? And describe?

Answer 4

1. Generalised tonic/clonic

Tonic - start of seizure where patient goes stiff

Clonic - after the stiff phase the patient goes into involuntary muscle contraction / relaxation

2. Focal / partial

Where one part of the body seizes. Others may not even notice, could be passed off as daydreaming or intoxication