Seizures Flashcards
dx for seizures
health history - possible withdraw from alcohol - diabetes (hypoglycemia) - labs - lumbar puncture
why are EEG helpful w/seizures
tells you where the seizure is located and what type
should a pt. go to the ED with s/s of seizure?
A: “Not medical emergency unless injury from seizure, new onset of seizure, status epilepticus”
pt teaching for aed medications
do not suddenly stop anti-seizure medications
avoid alcohol
follow-up with medical staff
don’t combine w/other CNS depressants
s/e of aed medications
ataxia (fall risk)
drowsy
diplopia (double vision)
***requirements for surgical options r/t epilepsy
last resort - must have dx of epilepsy
must have tried many different AED’s for several months w/o success
need to know what type of seizure it is - know what to remove (found via EEG)
nursing dx r/t epilepsy
risk for injury (head injuries)
risk for aspiration
ineffective coping
ineffective therapeutic regimen
overall goals for pt w/seizures
free from injury
optimal mental/physical functioning while taking anti-seizure meds
decrease in freq of seizures
what type of surgery is usually done to prevent seizures
corpus callosotomy surgery
temporal lobe excision - small piece of brain causing seizures removed - found by EEG
mgmt of seizures r/t prevention
promote safety (free from injury) pt teaching (kids video games) avoid alcohol (CNS depressant)
nursing mgmt acute intervention for seizures
Maintain airway - DO NOT PLACE ANYTHING IN MOUTH
NEVER RESTRAIN OR TRY AND STOP MOVEMENTS
remove loose clothing if you can do so safely
after seizure may require O2
re-orient after seizure
ease patient to floor/chair
**post-ictal seizure allow pt to do this
sleep/rest
pharmacological intervention for acute seizure
IV benzos or barbiturate - IM without IV access
w/status epilepticus = may induce coma
what do you want to document for seizure activity
when did it start - when did it stop - how long did it last extremity involvement - any injury did they vomit did they respond/were they conscious signs of aspiration
home care nursing mgmt
wear medical alert bracelet
regular visits with neurologist
teach emergency mgmt - when to call
