Seizure Basics
This is a sudden, temporary alteration in brain function caused by massive electrical discharges in nerve cells.
What is a seizure?
The phase of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure where muscles rigidly contract and the back arches.
What is the tonic phase?
This sign strongly suggests seizure over syncope.
What is lateral tongue biting?
The primary position to place a post-seizure patient to protect the airway.
What is the recovery (lateral recumbent) position?
After working through the Seizure Emergency Care algorithm, you have a postictal Seizure patient who is refusing care , what would be your next step?
Contact Medical Command
This life-threatening condition involves generalized seizures lasting more than 5 minutes or consecutive seizures without recovery in between.
What is status epilepticus?
The phase following clonic jerking where the patient is confused, tired, and gradually recovers.
What is the postictal phase (or state)?
A type of seizure that has loss of muslce tone and strength causing them to suddenly drop to the ground, also known as a drop attack
Atonic Seizure
For a seizing patient, you should never insert this airway adjunct during active convulsions.
What is an oropharyngeal airway (OPA)?
What parts of the brain do the suceptible neurons cause excitation?
Thalamus and Cerebral Cortex
The warning sign some patients experience before a seizure, such as a strange smell, sound, or feeling.
What is an Aura
This type of seizure involves brief staring spells, often in children, with no major convulsions.
What is an absence (petit mal) seizure?
This common event is a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness due to reduced cerebral blood flow (often called "fainting").
What is syncope?
For syncope, conduct primary/secondary assessments and consider transporting if this is present
What are abnormal vital signs
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Elvis Presley
This chronic brain disorder is characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures.
What is Epilepsy
A partial seizure where the patient remains conscious but has jerky activity in one body area.
What is a simple partial seizure?
A common trigger for syncope involving increased parasympathetic tone causing vessel dilation
What is vasovagal syncope?
In pregnancy, seizures may indicate this serious condition requiring rapid transport.
What is eclampsia?
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The Wire
Seizures caused by an insult to the body (like hypoglycemia, infection, or trauma) rather than a primary brain condition.
What are secondary (or reactive/provoked) seizures?
This seizure type can mimic alcohol intoxication with altered mental status and repetitive movements.
What is a complex partial (psychomotor) seizure?
Syncope patients often recover this quickly after lying down, unlike most seizure patients.
What is consciousness (or alertness)?
For ongoing seizures, administer this class of medication per protocol (e.g., benzodiazepines).
What are anticonvulsants
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