Seizures and Syncope

Question 1

What are the 2 major causes of episodic loss of consciousness?

Answer 1

1. seizures: characterized by TEMPORARY neurologic signs/symptoms d/t abnormal neuronal activity in cerebral cortex
2. Syncope (drop attack): d/t reduced blood supply to cerebral hemispheres/brainstem

Question 2

What is the diagnostic approach for seizures or syncope?

Answer 2

rule out serious conditions causing episodes

Establish number of spells, similarity or dissimilarity

Question 3

Seizures are disorders characterized by

Answer 3

transient disturbance of cerebral function Caused by Excessive or Over synchronized cerebral neuronal discharges

Question 4

What is the etiology of epilepsy seizures?

Answer 4

prim neurologic disorder

metabolic derangement

Question 5

Benign febrile seizures occur in children typically with a fever at what age? The episode last how long?

Answer 5

3 months to 5 yrs old

less than 15 min

Question 6

Benign febrile seizures mc when?

Answer 6

1 day of febrile illness usually w/fever

Question 7

What percentage of children experienced benign febrile seizures? What is an aka for benign febrile seizures?

Answer 7

a. 66

b. primary neurological disorders

Question 8

75 percent of all seizure disorders is what type with an onset of 5 to 25 yrs old?

Answer 8

idiopathic epilepsy

Question 9

Which of the following is not a primary neurological disorder?

a. benign febrile seizures
b. idiopathic epilepsy
c. Head Trauma
d. Stroke
e. Hypoglycemia

Answer 9

e. Hypoglycemia

Question 10

Which of the following is not a metabolic disorder?

a. hypoglycemia
b. hyponatremia
c. hypocalcemia
d. Hypothyroidism

Answer 10

d. Hypothyroidism

Question 11

Primary neurological disorders are common if associated with what kind of head trauma 1 wk after injury?

Answer 11

perinatural injury 28 wks to 28 days

intracerebral/subdural hematoma

Question 12

Which type of seizure is associated w/arterial venous malformations?

Answer 12

strokes

Question 13

What condition occurs with an infarction or intracerebral hemorrhage (less likely to survive)?

Answer 13

Stroke

Question 14

What metabolic disorder can cause drop attacks and what are the levels of glucose?

Answer 14

Hypoglycemia: levels of 20-30 ng/dl

Question 15

Metabolic hyponatremia levels can cause a seizure if below what?

Answer 15

120 meg/l

Question 16

Which of the following is not a generalized classification of seizures?

a. tonic
b. absence
c. simple
d. clonic
e. myoclonic

Answer 16

c. simple

Question 17

What are the 2 types of partial seizures?

Answer 17

simple and complex

Question 18

What is the MC type of seizure encountered and Attacks in which consciousness is lost usually w/o aura?

Answer 18

Tonic clonic

Question 19

What are the 4 phases of tonic-clonic seizures?

Answer 19

prodromal
tonic
clonic
recovery

Question 20

What phase of tonic-clonic seizures is vague, occurs over hrs to days before actual convulsions?

Answer 20

prodromal phase

Question 21

Which phase of tonic-clonic seizures is unconscious and pt can become cyanotic (blue)?

Answer 21

tonic phase

Question 22

Brief flexion of trunk, upward deviation of eyes, vocalization d/t FORCED expiration and limb tonic contraction 10-30 secs.

Answer 22

tonic phase of tonic-clonic seizures

Question 23

What type of seizures has alternating contraction & relaxation, systemic jerking 30-60 secs, flaccid and terms w/gen tonic spasm?

Answer 23

clonic phase

Note:also respiration Returns cyanosis leaves

Question 24

Confusion 10-30 min and lethargic is associated with what type of seizure?

Answer 24

recovery

Question 25

What are the symptoms of tonic clonic seizure?

Answer 25

HA, mood/appetite change, anxiety, irritability, lightheadedness/dizziness

Question 26

What are the causes of tonic clonic seizures?

Answer 26

idiopathic and symptomatic epilepsy and in assoc w/systemic dz

Question 27

Name systemic diseases associated w/tonic-clonic seizures.

Answer 27

hyponatremia
hypoglycemia
alcohol w/drawl

Question 28

Name drugs associated w/tonic-clonic seizures.

Answer 28

anti-
depressants
psychotics
cholinergics
histamines
biotics

Question 29

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

Answer 29

a, c, and d

note: can cause stress frx on vert body