SEIZURE

Health Education HFT 201

By: Sophia Kol, MD
 General Principles

 Definition:
 Uncontrolled electrical discharges in the brain which may
produce a sudden change in brain function causing
physical convulsion, minor physical signs, thoughts
disturbances, or a combination of symptoms.
 General Principles

 Epilepsy is a state of recurrent seizure

 Aura: simple partial SZ producing sensory, autonomic, or

psychic manifestations
 Prodrome: sensation or feeling that a seizure will soon occur
 Status Epilepticus: SZ > 30 mins of continuous SZ activity or

recurrent SZ w/out full recovery between episodes

 SZ >5 mins should be treated as status epilepticus
 Classifications
 Partial seizure
 Simple partial: consciousness is not impaired, an aura can be presented
such as autonomic or psychic manifestations (tingling, sensation of
epigastric rising, déjā-vu)
 Complex partial: consciousness is impaired, lip smacking or picking at
clothes, visual hallucination

 Generalized seizure
 Consciousness is lost, may begin as generalized or partial seizures with
secondary generalization
 Seizure
Moaning in the night
Really frightening dream
Feel angry inside
Looney noises in my head
Flashes of light
Awful pain in my brain
These are seizure

By Kimberly R. Dixon (1985-2016)

 Etiology

 Of all pt. presenting with SZ, etiology is found in 33%:

 Brain infections/Trauma
 Fever, brain tumor, eclampsia,
 Stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic)
 Drugs intoxications/withdrawal
 Electrolytes imbalances/stress
 Congenital brain malformations
 Physiology

 Persistent seizure produce brain injury,

cardiovascular and respiratory insufficiency, and
other life-threatening complications
 Diagnosis
 Clinical presentation
 History
 Physical examination

 Laboratories
 Blood study: CBC, UA, electrolytes, urine drug screening,
antiepileptic drugs level if indicated
 Imaging: head CT, MRI, EEG
 Lumbar Puncture (LP)
 Treatment
 Antiepileptic drugs: generally start with 2nd SZ with one
medication
 Must be individualized according to the drug effectiveness
for SZ type, potential adverse reaction, cost, interaction with
other possible medications, and their mechanism of action
 Surgery
 Diet (ketogenic)/lifestyle modification
 How can you help?
 Maintain person’s airway is crucial
 Positioning to sideway
 Clear all clutter around, cushion person’s head
 Never attempt to hold person down to stop the seizure
 Never put anything in person’s mouth
 Loosen up person’s clothing and time the SZ
 Stay calm and call for help if SZ> 5 mins
 Q&A
Seizure disorders may accompany all of the following EXCEPT: 

A- Metabolic conditions such as diabetes or eclampsia

B-  Infectious diseases such as meningitis or encephalitis
C- Prenatal and perinatal injury involving the lack of oxygen
D- Traumatic injury to the extremities

Some of the most common triggers for seizures are: 

A- Childbirth and menopause

B- Emotional upsets and demanding situations
C- Noncompliance with medications and lack of sleep
D- Darkened rooms and lack of stimulation
 Citations
 The Washington Manual of Medical Therapeutics.
Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, 2010. Print.


http://ce.nurse.com/course/ce89-60/seizure-disord
ers
 http://www.epilepsy.com/get-help/staying-
safe/managing-epilepsy-seizures-infographic