Podcast
Questions and Answers
What characterizes a simple partial seizure?
What characterizes a simple partial seizure?
Which of the following is NOT a specified cause of seizures?
Which of the following is NOT a specified cause of seizures?
What nursing action is advised during a seizure?
What nursing action is advised during a seizure?
What is a distinctive feature of generalized tonic-clonic seizures?
What is a distinctive feature of generalized tonic-clonic seizures?
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In assessing a patient who has experienced a seizure, which of the following is important?
In assessing a patient who has experienced a seizure, which of the following is important?
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What is a characteristic symptom of myoclonic seizures?
What is a characteristic symptom of myoclonic seizures?
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Which of the following conditions is commonly associated with causing seizures?
Which of the following conditions is commonly associated with causing seizures?
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What should be done immediately after a seizure has occurred?
What should be done immediately after a seizure has occurred?
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During a seizure, what is the most important nursing action for patient safety?
During a seizure, what is the most important nursing action for patient safety?
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Which statement accurately describes complex partial seizures?
Which statement accurately describes complex partial seizures?
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Flashcards
Partial Seizure
Partial Seizure
A seizure that starts in one part of the brain.
Generalized Seizure
Generalized Seizure
A seizure that involves the whole brain.
Tonic-Clonic Seizure
Tonic-Clonic Seizure
A type of generalized seizure characterized by stiffening (tonic) and jerking (clonic) movements.
Absence Seizure
Absence Seizure
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Seizure Safety
Seizure Safety
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What causes a seizure?
What causes a seizure?
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Simple Partial Seizure
Simple Partial Seizure
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Complex Partial Seizure
Complex Partial Seizure
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Tonic Phase
Tonic Phase
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Clonic Phase
Clonic Phase
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Study Notes
Seizures
- Seizures are episodes of abnormal brain activity causing motor, sensory, autonomic, or psychic disturbances.
- Seizures result from sudden, uncontrolled electrical discharges in cerebral neurons.
- Seizures are classified into partial and generalized types.
- Partial seizures originate in one part of the brain.
- Simple partial seizures: Consciousness remains intact.
- Complex partial seizures: Consciousness is impaired.
- Generalized seizures affect the entire brain.
- Partial seizures originate in one part of the brain.
- Seizure causes include cerebrovascular disease, hypoxemia, fever (especially in children), head injuries, hypertension, CNS infections, metabolic/toxic conditions, brain tumors, and drug/alcohol withdrawal.
Seizure Types - Generalized
- Tonic-Clonic: Characterized by muscle stiffness (tonic), followed by jerking movements (clonic). Can last 1-3 minutes.
- Tonic: Muscle stiffness.
- Clonic: Jerking movements.
- Absence: Brief staring spells resembling daydreaming. May not involve falling or jerking. Lasts 2-20 seconds.
- Myoclonic: Brief, shock-like jerks in muscles or a group of muscles. Often less than a few seconds and can occur in series.
Seizure Care Plan
- Observation: Document signs and symptoms before, during, and after a seizure.
- Patient safety: Take actions during a seizure to protect the patient from injury.
- Post-seizure care: Prevent complications after a seizure,
- Important actions: Stay calm. Protect the person from injury. Do not restrain the person. Do not put anything in the person’s mouth. Time the seizure.
- Post-seizure assessment: Describe what was observed. Calculate the duration. Identify events before the seizure; Assess for aura (warning signal). Document body parts affected and behavior. Note the level of consciousness. Observe whether the client slept after the seizure.
Interventions- Medications
- Anticonvulsants: Medications to prevent seizures.
- Valproic acid: Commonly used in children.
- Phenobarbital, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin (Dilantin): (Note: phenytoin can cause gum dysplasia as a side effect)
- Benzodiazepines: Used to control seizures. Examples include diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and clonazepam (Klonopin).
- Lamotrigine: Another anticonvulsant medication.
Status Epilepticus
- A series of generalized seizures without full recovery between episodes.
- Continuous seizures lasting at least 30 minutes, can occur with or without consciousness impairment.
- A medical emergency.
- Treatment goals: stop seizures, ensure cerebral oxygenation, maintain seizure-free state following treatment to prevent future seizures.
- Nurses must monitor respiratory and cardiac function.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamental aspects of seizures, including their definitions, classifications, and types. You'll learn about the differences between partial and generalized seizures, along with their causes and symptoms. Test your knowledge on this crucial topic in neurology!
