week 8 Flashcards
What is a seizure
Sudden uncontrolled burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brainCauses temporary changes in consciousness, behaviour, movements and feelings
two types of neurons during seizure
Glucimate the plus sign(excitatory) and the GABA: inhibitory neurotransmitter.
cause of seizure
due to illness: fever
➢ infection in CNS
➢ acid-base imbalance
➢ hypoxia (lack of oxygen) ➢ brain tumour
➢ alcohol withdrawal
Due to epilepsy = frequent seizure activity due to chronic condition
➢ cerebrovascular disease/stroke ➢ congenital
➢ traumatic brain injury
➢ idiopathic
➢ dementia
most common in very young and elderly
stages on a seizure
- Prodromal
? days before seizure occurs e.g.
➢ depression
➢ disturbed sleep
➢ urinary or gastrointestinal issues - Aura (not always)
Minutes or seconds before seizure
➢ Altered hearing or vision
➢ Anxiety or dread
➢ Déjà vu
➢ Unusual taste or smell
➢ Dizzy
➢ Difficulty speaking - Ictal (Actual seizure)
* Grand-mal * Petit mal
* Focal
4 Post-ictal
Time for brain to recover
Days for grand mal; Immediate for petit mal ➢ Very tired – sleepy
➢ Confusion
➢ Headache
➢ Injury – tongue, cheek, body
types of seizure
Focused
Petit mal seizure
No loss of consciousness
➢ Absence – staring (appears to be day dreaming)
➢ Often unnoticed
➢ Doesn’t respond
➢ Won’t remember
➢ Very short – seconds
Grand mal seizure Lose consciousness
➢ “Tonic” – body stiffens, groan or cry, bite
down, stop breathing
➢ “Clonic” – recurrent jerking movements
➢ Cyanosis (blueish skin from hypoxia)
➢ Incontinent
what is seizure management
triage/ basic life support/ saftey:protect from injury/ note the characteristics/ medication if neededRecovery position:
▪standing or sitting to lying down ▪position on side
➢ DO NOT RESTRAIN
➢ DO NOT PUT ANYTHING IN MOUTH
➢ Pillow under head
➢ Remove restrictive items
What should you do after a s
Vital signs
➢ Airway and breathing
➢ Neurological assessment ➢ Injury?
➢ Behaviour
maybe a blood test or eeg or medication
