sudden and temporary alteration in brain function
seizure
chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. common cause of seizures
epilepsy
most common type of epileptic seizure
tonic-clonic seizure (grand mal)
seizures that involves both hemispheres of the brain and the reticular activating system
generalized seizures
seizures typically related to abnormal activity in just one cerebral hemisphere
partial seizures
seizures that last more than 5 minutes or occur consecutively without a period of responsiveness between them
status epilepticus
what should be given to patient in status epilepticus?
PPV with supplemental oxygen and transport
seizure that affects both cerebral hemispheres, affecting the RAS
generalized tonic-clonic seizure
serves as a warning that a seizure is going to begin. abnormal twitch, anxiety, dizziness, smell or odor, odd taste
aura
phase of the seizure where muscles become contracted and tense
tonic phase (muscle rigidity)
when patient has extreme muscular rigidity with hyperextension of back
hypertonic phase
when muscle spasms then alternate with relaxation, producing violent and jerky activity. loss of bowel and bladder control. tongue, lip, mouth may be bitten
clonic phase
recovery phase from seizure
postictal state
when alert patient cannot control the jerky muscle activity in ONE area of the body
simple partial seizure (jacksonian motor seizure)
patient is awake but not aware of his surroundings after seizure. blank stare, lip smacking, clumsy, rage, confused
complex partial seizure
seizure most common in children, characterized by blank stare
absence seizures (petit mal)
seizure caused by high fever, most common in children between 6 months and 6 years
febrile seizure
if the blood glucose is less than _____ mg/dL, you may suspect the seizure is due to low blood glucose level (hypoglycemia may cause seizure)
60 mg/dL
what position should the postictal patient be placed in?
lateral recumbent, unless spinal injury is present or patient requires ventilation
if patient is actively seizing or unresponsive, insert...
nasopharyngeal airway
how should syncope patient be positioned?
supine with legs elevated 8 to 12 inches
what can happen to bones during a seizure?
dislocate and injured
seizure that affects the brain and is evidenced by muscular contraction of all the voluntary muscles
generalized
a patient in the postictal state will have...
altered mental status
what is an idiopathic syncopal episode usually caused by?
undetermined cause
medication commonly used in the treatment of epilepsy
phenobarbital
what is the typical mental status of a patient who is actively experiencing a generalized tonic-clonis seizure?
unresponsive
what is not a potential outcome for a patient with either prolonged or successive seizures?
bradycardia and hyperglycemia
why might an unknowing bystander start CPR on a patient with seizure?
because the patient may display a short period of apnea
seizure that is caused by another disease process (hypoglycemia) is called...
secondary seizure
what hypoglycemic seizure patients would the EMT administer oral glucose to?
postictal patient who can manage their own airway
what other medical condition is sometimes confused as a seizure by bystanders?
syncopal episode
what symptoms would be helpful in determining that a patient had a syncopal episode rather than a seizure?
there was no period of confusion after the event
when you see a seizure patient getting CPR from family member, you should...
stop CPR and feel for carotid pulse
seizures may be caused by a variety of...
medical conditions
EMT would recognize that a patient suffered a primary seizure when his wife states...
he had seizures in the past, but they are not sure what causes them
complex partial seizure (psychomotor) can be mistaken for...
alcohol intoxication