Types of Seizures
A seizure may begin with an aura
What is Tonic-Clonic Seizure?
Characterized by automatisms; pt. unaware of his/her environment.
What are absence seizures?
What action should the Nurse take if you witness a pt. having a tonic-clonic seizure.
What is turn pt. to the side?
Key features "daydreaming", blank staring, eye fluttering, lip-smacking, & picking at clothes
What is Absence Seizures?
Life-threatening condition where a person has a prolonged seizure >5min or fails to regain consciousness in between seizures.
What is status Epilepticus?
The phase consists of hyperventilation and jerking of the extremities & usually lasts about 30 seconds.
What is the clonic phase?
Pt. presents with brief jerking/or stiffening of extremities that can happen singly or in groups.
What are myoclonic Seizures?
The nurse assigned to the pt. having a status epilicticus, which medication does she need to prepare
What is lorazepam (Ativan)?
Consciousness, unusual sensations, a sense of de'ja' vu, autonomic abnormalities(such as changes in heart rate & abnormal flushing), unilateral abnormal extremity movements, pain, or offensive smell.
What are Simple Partial Seizures?
Identifies patterns of electrical activity that can be correlated with particular types of seizures...
What is an EEG/Electroencephalography?
Sudden Momentary loss of muscle tone
What is an Atonic Seizure?
Pt. has a sudden loss of muscle tone followed by postictal confusion.
Newly admitted pt. with epilepsy, what 3 interventions should the Nurse put in the plan of care
What are have suction equipment at the bedside,
keep bed rails up at all times, & ensure pt. has IV. access?
A syndrome characterized by chronic recurring abnormal brain electrical activity.
What is Epilepsy Syndrome?
Name 3 Laboratory tests that can be used...
ATI-Ch.6
What are alcohol/illicit drug tests, HIV testing, & screening for excessive toxins?
Brief Seizure that lasts seconds & the individual may or may not lose consciousness.
What is an Absence seizure?
Name 3 clinical manifestations of absence seizures..
What are lip-smacking, picking at clothing, & putting of the hand on one leg?
Priority Nursing intervention in caring for a client who is having a seizure includes
What is maintaining the airway?
Seizure Activity begins in one cerebral hemisphere
What are Partial or focal/local seizures?
Name 4 tests that can be used to identify or rule out potential causes of seizures...
What is MRI, CAT Scan,Pet Scan, (CSF) analysis?
The seizure is characterized by stiffening of the muscles of the arms & legs, immediate loss of consciousness & jerking of all extremities.
What are Tonic-clonic seizures?
Twitching or outbursts(laugh or cry), Pt. loses consciousness/awareness
What are complex seizures?
When do we protect a patients privacy & the patient from injury(move furniture away,assist client to the floor, hold head in lap if on the floor...
What is during a seizure?
May last several hours, unconsciousness may last for 30 min, pt. awakens slowly & is usually confused & disoriented.....
What is the postictal phase?
{Nursing Considerations}; Needs monitoring when pt. is taking AEDs... like phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproic acid, or gabapentin...
**Surgical; placement of a vagal nerve stimulator/excision of the portion of the brain causing the seizures
What is monitoring therapeutic plasma levels?