Seizures and Syncope

Question 1

Idiopathic

Answer 1

No identifieble cause or onset

Question 2

Cryptogenic

Answer 2

Unknown cause related to abnormality in brain structure

Question 3

4 stages of seizures

Answer 3

• Aura
• Tonic
• Clonic
• Postictal

Question 4

Simple partial seizure

Duration/Symptoms/Postictal

Answer 4

Duration: 90 sec
Symptom : No LOC, Sudden jerking, Sensory
Postictal: Possible weakness, loss of sensation

Question 5

Complex partial seizure

Duration/symptom/postictal

Answer 5

Duration: 1-2 min
Symptom: Aura, staring, automatisms, unaware of enviornment, may wander
Postictal: Amnesia for event, Mild confusion

Question 6

Absence
(Petit Mal Seizure)

Duration/Symptom/postictal

Answer 6

Duration: 2-15 seconds
Symptom: Stare, eyes fluttering, No confusion and picks up right where they left off
Postictal: Amnesia for event, confusion, deep sleep

Question 7

Generalized tonic/clonic
(Grand mal seizure)

Duration/symptom/postictal

Answer 7

Duration: 1-2 min
Symptom: Cry, fall, cyanosis, tonic, clonic
Postictal: Anmesia form event, confusion, deep sleep

Question 8

Tonic phase of grand mal seizure

Answer 8

• LOC
• Oxygen is forced out of lungs resulting in a cry or moan
• May begin foaming at the mouth
• Tongue biting

Question 9

Clonic phase of grand mal seizure

Symptoms

Answer 9

• Jerking movements that affects the face and extremities
• When the body relaxes breathing will return to normal
• Some people may lose control of bladder and bowels

Question 10

Generalized seizures

s/s

Answer 10

• LOC
• Epileptic cry
• Tonic rigidity
• Bilateral jerking
• No recollection of the event
• Rests after seizure

Question 11

Status Epilepticus

Define

Answer 11

• Greater than 2 sequential seizures without full recovery of consciousness between activity
• Greater than 30 min of continuous seizure activity
• Can be life threatening

Question 12

Pseudo seizures

Define

Answer 12

• Intermittent behavioral changes that resemble seizures
• Attention seeking fools

Question 13

Seizure managment

What do you do?

Answer 13

• Protect the patient from injury
• Observe carefully the type of seizure
• Dont force stuff in their mouth
• Administer oxygen via NBR @ 15 lpm
• Monitor ventilations and prepare to assist

Question 14

Tonic-Clonic

Seizure type

Answer 14

Loss of conscioussness
muscle rigidity
convulsions
Incontinence
postictal

Generalized

Question 15

Absence

Seizure type

Answer 15

brief loss of consciousness
no loss of muscle tone
eyes flutter
more common in children

Generalized

Question 16

Myoclonic

Seizure type

Answer 16

Sporadic jerking of isolated muscle groups on both sides of body, occure often, associated with sleep

Generalized

Question 17

Tonic

Seizure type

Answer 17

muscle stifness and rigidity

Generalized

Question 18

Atonic

Seizure type

Answer 18

loss of muscle tone and strength, pt suddenly drops to ground

Generalized

Question 19

Febrile

Seizure type

Answer 19

tonic-clonic seizure due to a high fever most common in children

Generalized

Question 20

Seizure medications (EMS)

Answer 20

Benzodiazapine
midazolam (Versed),
lorazepam (Ativan),
diazepam (Valium)

for stopping seizures