A
A patient experiences at least two spontaneous seizures occurring more than 24 hours apart due to a chronic underlying pathology. What condition is this?
What is epilepsy?
This diagnostic test records the electrical activity of the brain and helps identify abnormal seizure activity.
What is an EEG (electroencephalography)?
A sensation of dizziness, numbness, visual disturbance, or an offensive odor occurring before a seizure is called this.
Aura
What type of seizure begins in only one area of the brain?
partial (focal) seizure?
During what phase of a tonic-clonic seizure does muscle stiffening occur?
What is the tonic phase?
A patient remains conscious while experiencing motor or sensory symptoms affecting one cerebral hemisphere. What type of seizure is occurring?
What is a simple partial seizure?
What generalized seizure is characterized by brief episodes in which the patient appears to be daydreaming and may have eye blinking or lip smacking?
What is an absence seizure?
The abnormal spread of focal seizure activity from the eyelid to the face, arm, and leg is called this
What is Jacksonian march?
What should a nurse do first if a patient begins seizing while standing near furniture?
What is remove nearby objects that may cause injury?
A patient suddenly loses muscle tone and collapses to the floor. Which seizure type most likely occurred?
What is an atonic seizure?
Why are prolonged seizures dangerous to brain tissue?
Because hyperactive neurons consume excessive oxygen and glucose, causing depletion that may lead to permanent neurological damage.
A patient exhibits bizarre repetitive behaviors and impaired consciousness during a seizure. What type of seizure is this?
What is a complex partial seizure?
Name three common triggers that may precipitate seizure activity.
Fatigue, stress, fever, alcohol use, missed medications, excessive caffeine intake, or visual disturbances.
Why should a patient recovering from a seizure be placed on their side?
To help maintain a patent airway and prevent airway obstruction.
A seizure begins focally and later spreads throughout both cerebral hemispheres. What is this called?
What is a partial seizure with secondary generalization?
A nurse witnesses rhythmic jerking of the extremities after a period of muscle rigidity and loss of consciousness. Which phase of a tonic-clonic seizure is occurring?
What is the clonic phase?
A patient suddenly stops taking prescribed antiepileptic medications and develops seizure activity 2 days later. What important pharmacologic principle explains this event?
Sudden discontinuation of antiepileptic medications can trigger seizures.
A patient is confused, sleepy, and unable to remember the seizure event. Which seizure phase is being described?
What is the postictal phase?
Why is lorazepam commonly used during status epilepticus?
Because it is used for the initial treatment of status epilepticus to rapidly control seizure activity.
A patient experiences repeated generalized seizures. What assessment finding would indicate impaired cerebral recovery between seizures?
Persistent altered level of consciousness between seizure episodes.
A patient experiencing status epilepticus has continuous seizure activity for more than 30 minutes. Explain why immediate intervention is critical.
Continuous seizure activity rapidly depletes oxygen and glucose stores in the brain, increasing the risk of permanent neurological damage, brain injury, and death.
A patient reports smelling a burning odor seconds before losing consciousness during every seizure. The provider suspects the seizure begins in a localized brain region before spreading. Which classification best describes this pattern?
What is a partial seizure with secondary generalization preceded by an aura?
A nurse finds a family member attempting to place a spoon in the patient's mouth during a seizure. Using current seizure management principles, explain why this is unsafe.
Objects should never be forced into the mouth because they can damage the teeth, gums, or airway and do not prevent tongue biting or swallowing of the tongue.
A patient continues to have seizures despite taking multiple medications at therapeutic levels. Based on the textbook, what additional treatment options may be considered?
Surgical removal of seizure foci, pallidotomy, or implantation of a vagal nerve stimulator.
A patient with epilepsy lives in a remote area with delayed access to emergency services. The patient develops status epilepticus. Explain why living in an isolated region may worsen outcomes.
Prompt treatment is essential to prevent prolonged oxygen and glucose depletion. Delayed access to healthcare increases the risk of permanent neurological damage, complications, and mortality from status epilepticus.