SEIZURES

SEIZURES
 occurs when a brief, strong surge of electrical activity
affects a part or all of the brain.
 Pathophysiology:  massive electrical discharge in the
brain causes a temporary alteration in behavior.
CAUSES of SEIZURE
 A:  alcohol withdrawal  T:   trauma
 E:   epilepsy  I:    infection
 I:     insulin  P:   psychiatric disorder
 O:   overdose  S:   stroke
 U:   underdose
TYPES OF SEIZURES
A.) GENERALIZED SEIZURES

- involve the entire cortex of the brain.

- affects the whole body and results in loss of
consciousness.
 TONIC-CLONIC
SEIZURES /GRAND – MAL
 most common type of generalized seizure and are
characterized by stiffening and jerking of the limbs while
clenching teeth
 may last between 1 and 5 minutes.
 experience an "aura" defined as a hallucinatory sound or
smell, or a discomfort in the stomach or head.
 takes another 5 minutes for the pt to realize what
happened.
 Pt usually falls under deep sleep after the episode of
seizure.
 ABSENCE
SEIZURES
 mainly occur in childhood.
 appear to be in a daydream from
which the patient cannot be woken.
 brief, and the child is unaware she is
experiencing a seizure.
ATONIC SEIZURES
 characterized by immediate and sudden loss of
muscle tone.
 MYOCLONIC
SEIZURES
 involve rapid, brief contractions of the muscles, which
occur on both sides of the body at the same time.
 PETIT MAL SEIZURES

 a person experiences a momentary loss of

consciousness without abnormal movements.
 B.) PARTIAL SEIZURES
•shows electrical disturbances from a single location in the brain.

•The electrical discharge remains localized and only affects

isolated body or mental functions, without causing a loss of
consciousness.

•the person feels afraid and can become angry, acting like a
robot and repeatedly chewing or swallowing. Attempts to
restrain the person can cause a violent outburst.
B.1) SIMPLE PARTIAL
SEIZURES
•Those who experience this type of
seizure remain conscious and are able to
recall all the events of the seizure.
•These types of seizures generally last for
2 minutes or less and are categorized
according to the symptoms displayed.
  Motor seizures - affect the
 Psychic seizures - may change muscles and can cause
how the pt feel or think and involuntary movement of the
can interfere with ability to fingers, hands, legs and arms.
speak or write. May also cause In some cases, the entire
problems with memory.  body may become stiff.

 Sensory seizures - affect the  Autonomic seizures - may

senses, causing the pt to hear,
taste or see things that are not
present. May also suffer actual
pain or hallucinate while the
seizure is in progress.
cause strange feelings in
various areas of your body,
such as the stomach, chest or
head. The pt may notice a
change in breathing or begin
sweating for no apparent
reason.
 B.2) COMPLEX PARTIAL
•begin in one area of the brain and then spread to affect a
larger area.
SEIZURES
•often cause a lapse in memory and/or consciousness, but
eyes typically remain open for the duration of the seizure.
•May repeat words or phrases, and, in some cases, do
something embarrassing, such as strip your clothes.
•During milder episodes, may just appear to be daydreaming,
unresponsive to what is happening around.
 DIAGNOSIS
 Medical history
 Physical examination
 CT Scan
 MRI
 PET Scan
 EEG
 NURSING
RESPONSIBILITIES
 If actively seizing do not attempt to stop the seizure or push
anything into their mouth to try to prevent them from biting
their tongue 
 Do not attempt to control the seizure
 Protect the seizing patient
 Maintain their airway
 High flow O2 by mask
 Left lateral position
 Spinal immobilize if trauma or unknown mechanism of injury
 NURSING
RESPONSIBILITIES
 Assist with ALS procedures:
 Advanced airway prn
 Venous access
 Glucometer
 Monitor
 Valium for active seizures
 Dextrose for hypoglycemia
EN
D.