Seizures

Question 1

first-line treatment for chronic seizure management

Answer 1

anti-epileptic drugs (AED)

Question 2

How are AEDs discontinued?

Answer 2

must be tapered;

do NOT discontinue abruptly

Question 3

What causes seizures in the brain?

Answer 3

excitatory neurons produce a sudden surge of electrical activity in the brain

Question 4

epilepsy

Answer 4

a chronic seizure disorder

broad-spectrum condition

Question 5

tonic-clonic seizure

Answer 5

uncontrolled jerking movements

Question 6

absence seizures

Answer 6

momentary loss of awareness;
generalized seizure with non-motor symptoms;
usually present as staring spells

Question 7

the most common test used to diagnose epilepsy

Answer 7

electroencephalogram (EEG)

Question 8

focal seizure

Answer 8

start on ONE side of the brain, but can spread to the other side

Question 9

generalized seizure

Answer 9

start on BOTH sides of the brain;

involves loss of consciousness or unawareness

Question 10

focal aware seizure (a.k.a. simple partial seizure)

Answer 10

focal seizure that results in NO loss of consciousness

Question 11

focal seizure w/ impaired awareness (a.k.a. complex partial seizure)

Answer 11

focal seizure that results in LOSS of consciousness

Question 12

motor symptom - clonic

Answer 12

sustained, rhythmical jerking movements

Question 13

motor symptom - atonic

Answer 13

limp or weak muscles

Question 14

motor symptom - myoclonus

Answer 14

muscle twitching

Question 15

motor symptom - tonic

Answer 15

rigid or tense muscles

Question 16

non-motor symptoms

Answer 16

changes in sensation, emotions, thinking or cognition

Question 17

status epilepticus

Answer 17

seizure lasting beyond five minutes

normal mechanisms that terminate seizure are not working

Question 18

medical emergency

Answer 18

seizure longer than 30 minutes, causing long-term damage

Question 19

Diastat Acudial

Answer 19

rectal diazepam gel;

for patients at risk of long-lasting seizures

Question 20

Which temporary conditions can cause seizures?

How do you stop the seizures?

Answer 20

fever (common in children), infection, alcohol, withdrawal, hypoglycemia or electrolyte abnormalities

TREAT THE UNDERLYING CAUSE