Test #4 Neuro Flashcards
What is a seizure?
A seizure is a paroxysmal, uncontrolled electrical discharge of neurons in the brain that interrupts normal function.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a condition in which a person has spontaneous reoccurring seizures caused by a chronic underlying condition.
What are the 4 stages of a seizure?
1) the prodromal phase (signs or activity that precedes the seizure), 2) the aural stage (with sensory warning), 3) the ictal stage (with the full seizure), 4) the post-ictal stage (recovery period after the seizure)
What is a “tonic-clonic” seizure?
A tonic clonic seizure is characterized by loss of consciousness and falling to the ground (if upright), followed by stiffening of the body (tonic phase) for 10 to 20 seconds and subsequent jerking of the extremities (clonic phase) for another 30-40 seconds.
What is an “absence seizure”?
A brief period of staring that lasts only a few seconds and frequently goes unnoticed.
What is an “atypical absence seizure”?
An atypical absence seizure is a brief staring spell but with brief warnings, peculiar behavior during the seizure or confusion after the seizure.
What would EEG show in the case of an absence seizure?
A 3-Hz (cycle per second) spike and wave pattern that is unique to this type of seizure.
What would EEG show in the case of an atypical absence seizure?
Usually greater or less than 3-Hz
What is a “myoclonic seizure”?
A sudden, forceful jerk of the body or extremities (possibly forceful enough to hurl the person to the ground)
What is an “atonic seizure”?
An atonic seizure is a sudden loss of muscle tone and begins suddenly with the person falling to the ground. *Note: people with this type of seizure are at a great risk of head injury and often have to wear protective helmets.
What is a “tonic” seizure?
A tonic seizure is characterized by a sudden increase in the muscle tone of the extensor muscles. (these patients often fall)
What is a “simple partial seizure”?
Simple partial seizures have elementary symptoms, do not involve loss of consciousness and rarely last longer than 1 minute.
What is a “complex partial seizure”?
Complex partial seizures usually originate from the temporal lobe (sometimes referred to as “temporal lobe seizures”), last longer than 1 minute and are frequently followed by a post-ictal state.
What distinguishes simple partial seizures from complex partial seizures?
Complex usually involve an alteration in consciousness
What is “temporal lobe absence”?
It is a confused state without any motor or sensory components; it may be the sole manifestation of a complex partial seizure
What is the most common partial seizure?
The most common partial seizure involves lip smacking and automatism (inappropriate repetitive movements). These are often called “psychomotor seizures”.
What is a “psychogenic seizure”?
Also called pseudo-seizures, they resemble epileptic seizures but are psychiatric in orgin
What is “status epilepticus”?
Is is back-to-back seizures without a return to consciousness between seizures.
What are “subclinical seizures”?
They are a form of status epilepticus but in a sedated patients and generally do not have the clinical signs due to the sedation
In the event of an acute seizure, what medications would the nurse anticipate using to control the seizures?
Phenobarbital, Dilantin, or benzodiazapines
What education should the nurse provide a patient starting Tegretol (carbamazepine) therapy?
- do not take with grapefruit juice
- report any visual abnormalities
- do not stop the medication abruptly (it may cause seizures)
What criteria should a patient meet before being weaned from antiseizure drugs?
The patient must be seizure-free for a prolonged period of time (2-5 years) and have a normal neurologic exam
What drug may be given to patients who seizures do not respond to other medications?
Felbamate
What are notable side effects of Felbamate?
Aplastic anemia and liver toxicity