Seizures

Question 1

Seizures are defined as involuntary ______ or changes in ______ or behavior.

Answer 1

Involuntary motor activity

Changing in consciousness

Question 2

Describe 2 major categories of seizures.

Answer 2

Partial: onset in localized areas of the brain
Generalized: onset in generalized/bilateral areas of the brain

Question 3

What are 2 types of partial seizures?

Answer 3

Simple partial

Complex partial

Question 4

Describe simple partial seizures (2).

Answer 4

1. Last a few seconds with NO alteration in consciousness

2. 4 types (autonomic, emotional, motor, and sensory)

Question 5

Describe 4 types of simple partial seizures.

Answer 5

1. Autonomic = flush
2. Emotional = outburst
3. Motor = twitch
4. Sensory = smell something or feel tingling

Question 6

Describe complex partial seizures. (2)

Answer 6

1. Lasts 2-4 minutes with alteration in consciousness (may be followed by confusion)
2. May have random behaviors

Question 7

What 2 things occur during the postictal period following a tonic clonic seizure?

Answer 7

1. Sleepiness

2. Drowsiness

Question 8

_________ is a MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Answer 8

Status epilepticus

Question 9

List 2 types of generalized seizures.

Answer 9

1. Tonic clonic (grand mal)

2. Generalized absence seizures (petit mal)

Question 10

Tonic clonic seizures are also referred to as _____ seizures, while generalized absence seizures are referred to as ______ seizures.

Answer 10

Tonic clonic = grand mal

Generalized absence = petit mal

Question 11

List 2 characteristics of tonic clonic (grand mal) seizures.

Answer 11

1. Tonic (muscles stiffen) clonic (repetitive muscle contraction and relaxation)
2. Postictal phase

Question 12

List 3 characteristics of generalized absence seizures (petit mal).

Answer 12

1. Blank stare
2. Sudden onset (will resume activity)
3. May be accompanied by chewing, rapid breathing, rhythmical blinking.

Question 13

Describe atonic (drop) seizures.

Answer 13

Lose all muscle tone and drop (typically will always have contact guard with these children)

Question 14

Describe 4 types of neonatal seizures.

Answer 14

1. Subtle type- accompanied by apnea, unusual eye movements, stereotypic limb movements, drooling
2. Tonic
3. Clonic-usually progresses to tonic-clonic
4. Myoclonic- sudden muscle contraction(s) in part or all of the body (consciousness not impaired)

Question 15

_______ is a hallmark of myoclonic seizures.

Answer 15

Excessive startle response

Question 16

List 3 characteristics of infantile spasms (infantile myoclonic seizures)

Answer 16

1. Seen in first 6 months (3-9 months)
2. Often seen when the child is waking up occurs in clusters
3. Sudden brief contractions of one or more muscle groups followed by longer tonic phase (less than 10 seconds) that looks like a startle