Types
Two groupings of seizures: one involving LOC and rigid muscle tone with rapid jerking movements, the other involves a lucid or semi-conscious with localized seizure movements.
Generalized tonic-clonic and focal seizure
Helps determine which part of the brain is the original location of the seizure
What is the presence of an aura before seizure activity?
A device that sends electrical signals to the brain when activated by the client using a magnet which helps decrease the severity and duration of seizures.
What is a vagal nerve stimulator?
When should you perform nursing assessments on seizure patients
Before, during and every 15 min after seizure for 1st hour.
List at least 2 seizure precautions
padded side rails, bed free of objects, suction at the bedside, oxygen at the bedside
At least 2 unprovoked seizures occurring more than 24 hours apart
Epilepsy
Describe at least 2 signs of focal seizure
staring spell, repetitive movements, tingling, dizziness, possible change in level of consciousness
Name three medications that might be prescribed for a client experiencing status epilepticus.
What is Diazepam, lorazepam and fosphenytoin
Describe the important information needed to obtain in your thorough nursing assessment of a patient with a seizure history
type of seizure, what usually looks like, what medications they take, do they follow with neuro and how often, do they have auras
Name four ways of preventing injury to a client who is having an active seizure
1. Assist the client to the floor.
2. Remove any dangerous objects near the client
3. Document the start and stop time of the seizure.
4. Place the client in the recovery position if possible.
A type of generalized seizure that involves no loss of postural tone, episodes are brief, and the patient resumes normal activity after cessation
Absence seizures
Describe at least 3 signs of generalized seizure
stiffening muscles, head turned, clonic movements, eyes deviated, loss of muscle control
Side effects include visual problems, gingival hyperplasia, and purple glove syndrome
Dilantin (Phenytoin)
Describe at least 3 things to assess and document for patient having a seizure.
time it started and ended, aura, vital signs, what signs/symptoms patient had, did you require medication to stop or did self resolve
What are some nursing interventions prior to EEG
hold all seizure medications, no stimulants, educate patient on what to expect and that may take up to 1 hour (occasionally have to stay night if its a sleep study)
Type of seizure involves a sudden loss of postural tone without an aura, sometimes mistaken for fainting
Atonic, or drop, seizures
phase in which patient remains unconscious but arouses with difficulty after a seizure
post ictal stage
Very first line of treatment given to a patient in status epilepticus
Oxygen via nasal cannula or bag mask
List at least 3 nursing diagnoses for patient with seizures
risk for injury
fear
ineffective individual coping
deficient knowledge
Important nursing care to focus on for your patients with a seizure diagnosis
ensure safety, administer medications as prescribed, provide emotional support, education
18 month old with vital signs: HR 120, RR 26, BP 126/92, Temp 39.2. What type of seizure would you expect them to be diagnosed with?
Febrile Seizure
When an epileptic has a seizure caused by changes in anticonvulsants levels, infection, medication interaction, or increased stress the seizure is called ______.
breakthrough seizures
High fat, low carb diet used to treat epilepsy
Ketogenic diet
List at least 2 complications that a nurse must assess for with a patient in status epilepticus
hypoxia, acidosis, hypoglycemia, hyperthermia, exhaustion
stay with the patient, head tilt/chin lift, turn head to side, move objects, maintain airway, monitor vital signs, place IV, administer medications, place on oxygen, suction ready at bedside