Seizures (Exam 2)

Question 1

Seizure

Answer 1

-Brief episode of abnormal electrical activity in nerve cells of the brain

-Con involve motor, sensory or cognitive manifestations

Question 2

Convulsion

Answer 2

-More severe seizure characterized by involuntary spasmodic contractions of muscles

-What we think of

Question 3

Seizure Disease (Epilepsy)

Answer 3

Chronic, recurrent pattern of seizures

Question 4

Myoclonic

Answer 4

-Brief, shock-like jerks of a muscle or group of muscles

Question 5

Seizure Pathogenesis

Answer 5

-“Seizure focus”
-Group of abnormal neurons that spontaneously fire

-Seizure focus functions autonomously

-Emits excessive paroxysmal electrical discharges. This can recruit other neurons to discharge (spread)

Question 6

Seizure: Etiology

Answer 6

-Primary Seizures : Idopathic ___Epilepsy; 50% of cases

-Secondary Seizures:
-Chemical imbalances (blood sugar) (Drugs)
-Febrile
-Brain issues

Question 7

Epilepsy

Answer 7

-A disease involving recurrent, paroxysmal seizure activity

-Must have no evidence of a reversible metabolic cause

-An electrical storm!

Question 8

Seizure Threshold

Answer 8

Persons chance of having a seizure.

High threshold = less chances of seizure happening

Question 9

Decrease Seizure Threshold

Answer 9

-Medication
-Alc
-Stress
-Illness

Question 10

Seizure Classification

Answer 10

1. Area seizure originates
2. Level of awareness of the patient during episode
3. Other features (motor involvement)

Question 11

Generalized Onset Seizures

Answer 11

-Formerly ‘grand-mal’ seizures

-What we think of

-Neuronal activity ORGINATES simultaneously in BOTH hemispheres of the brain

Question 12

Generalized Onset Seizures: Sub-types

Answer 12

-Tonic Clonic

-Absence seizures:
brief loss of awareness that commonly occurs with repetitive spasmodic eye blinking for up to 30 seconds

Question 13

Tonic-Clonic Seizure

Answer 13

Tonic Phase:
-Prolonged skeletal muscle contraction (CRY)

Clonic Phase:
-Alternating skeletal muscle contraction and relaxation
-Arms and legs jerk

Question 14

Focal Onset Seizures

Answer 14

-Originate in localized or FOCAL region (one lobe) of the brain

-Further subdivided based on level of awareness by the patient

Question 15

Phases of Seizures

Answer 15

1. Prodromal:
   -Signs or activity that precede a seizure
2. Aural phase:
   -Sensory warning
3. Ictal Phase:
   -Actual seizure
4. Post-ictal phase:
   -Recovery

Question 16

Prodrome/Aural Phases of Seizures

Answer 16

-Subjective sense of impending seizure

-Important clue as to seizure focus

-Jerking, HA, lethargy, mood alteration, palpitations

-Orders and Taste (Smell flowers and taste metal) (Ringing in ear)

Question 17

Status Epilepticus: Complication

Answer 17

Continuing series of multiple seizures without recovery period

Last 30 minutes or more

Biggest concern with Tonic-Clonic seizures (Life threatening situation)

Respiratory arrest ___ hypoxia ____ brain damage____death