Assessment
Patient Education
Pathophysiology
Clinical Scenario
100

What environmental safety measures are required?

Side rails up, controlled noise level, access to oxygen/suction equipment, airway devices, padded rails, IV access.

100

What lifestyle modifications are recommended?

Regular sleep schedule, medication compliance, avoiding triggers, maintaining seizure diary, and having a safety plan for seizure occurrence. 

100

Why do motor vs non-motor symptoms vary?

Symptoms depend on the seizure’s location in the brain.

100

What safety precautions would you implement?

Remove hazards, prevent falls, maintain airway, and provide constant supervision as patients may perform dangerous actions like walking into traffic. 

200

What autonomic nervous system responses indicate anxiety/stress?

Cold/clammy hands, diaphoresis, agitation, trembling extremities.

200

What warning signs should families watch for?

Unusual behaviours, automatisms (repetitive, purposeless actions like lip smacking) , unresponsiveness to interaction, dreamlike state, and post-seizure confusion or fatigue. 

300

Why can’t patients remember events during their seizures?

The impaired consciousness during the seizure prevents for formation of memories, resulting in complete amnesia of the event. 

300

What occurs in the brain during these seizures?

Seizure activity begins in a specific region of the cortex, affecting the area’s function, and may remain focal or spread. 

400

What key components should be included in the neurological assessment?

Deep tendon reflexes, bilateral upper/lower extremity sensory/motor testing, headaches, auras, visual changes. 

500

What distinguishes focal impaired awareness seizures from other seizures? 

Patients have a loss of consciousness/altered awareness and have no memory of the event. 

500

What are priority nursing interventions post-ictally?

Monitor consciousness, provide a rest period, assess for injuries, reorient patient, and document duration & characteristics of seizure. 

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