Seizures and Syncope Flashcards
What are the 2 major causes of episodic loss of consciousness?
- seizures: characterized by TEMPORARY neurologic signs/symptoms d/t abnormal neuronal activity in cerebral cortex
- Syncope (drop attack): d/t reduced blood supply to cerebral hemispheres/brainstem
What is the diagnostic approach for seizures or syncope?
rule out serious conditions causing episodes
Establish number of spells, similarity or dissimilarity
Seizures are disorders characterized by
transient disturbance of cerebral function Caused by Excessive or Over synchronized cerebral neuronal discharges
What is the etiology of epilepsy seizures?
prim neurologic disorder
metabolic derangement
Benign febrile seizures occur in children typically with a fever at what age? The episode last how long?
3 months to 5 yrs old
less than 15 min
Benign febrile seizures mc when?
1 day of febrile illness usually w/fever
What percentage of children experienced benign febrile seizures? What is an aka for benign febrile seizures?
a. 66
b. primary neurological disorders
75 percent of all seizure disorders is what type with an onset of 5 to 25 yrs old?
idiopathic epilepsy
Which of the following is not a primary neurological disorder?
a. benign febrile seizures
b. idiopathic epilepsy
c. Head Trauma
d. Stroke
e. Hypoglycemia
e. Hypoglycemia
Which of the following is not a metabolic disorder?
a. hypoglycemia
b. hyponatremia
c. hypocalcemia
d. Hypothyroidism
d. Hypothyroidism
Primary neurological disorders are common if associated with what kind of head trauma 1 wk after injury?
perinatural injury 28 wks to 28 days
intracerebral/subdural hematoma
Which type of seizure is associated w/arterial venous malformations?
strokes
What condition occurs with an infarction or intracerebral hemorrhage (less likely to survive)?
Stroke
What metabolic disorder can cause drop attacks and what are the levels of glucose?
Hypoglycemia: levels of 20-30 ng/dl
Metabolic hyponatremia levels can cause a seizure if below what?
120 meg/l
Which of the following is not a generalized classification of seizures?
a. tonic
b. absence
c. simple
d. clonic
e. myoclonic
c. simple
What are the 2 types of partial seizures?
simple and complex
What is the MC type of seizure encountered and Attacks in which consciousness is lost usually w/o aura?
Tonic clonic
What are the 4 phases of tonic-clonic seizures?
prodromal
tonic
clonic
recovery
What phase of tonic-clonic seizures is vague, occurs over hrs to days before actual convulsions?
prodromal phase
Which phase of tonic-clonic seizures is unconscious and pt can become cyanotic (blue)?
tonic phase
Brief flexion of trunk, upward deviation of eyes, vocalization d/t FORCED expiration and limb tonic contraction 10-30 secs.
tonic phase of tonic-clonic seizures
What type of seizures has alternating contraction & relaxation, systemic jerking 30-60 secs, flaccid and terms w/gen tonic spasm?
clonic phase
Note:also respiration Returns cyanosis leaves
Confusion 10-30 min and lethargic is associated with what type of seizure?
recovery
What are the symptoms of tonic clonic seizure?
HA, mood/appetite change, anxiety, irritability, lightheadedness/dizziness
What are the causes of tonic clonic seizures?
idiopathic and symptomatic epilepsy and in assoc w/systemic dz
Name systemic diseases associated w/tonic-clonic seizures.
hyponatremia
hypoglycemia
alcohol w/drawl
Name drugs associated w/tonic-clonic seizures.
anti- depressants psychotics cholinergics histamines biotics
Tonic clonic duration and complications are what?
a. less than 1 min
b. less than 30 sec
c. head trauma
d. vertebral body stress fx
a, c, and d
note: can cause stress frx on vert body
