NURS 5461 SEIZURES EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A++
Seizures—An Update
Provoked seizures may never recur and may not need treatment other than treating the
underlying medical condition—fever, trauma, low blood sugar, hyponatremia,
hypocalcemia, drug abuse, alcohol withdrawal
Epilepsy
2 or more unprovoked seizures, Seizures can cause changes in consciousness,
sensation, psychological feelings, smell, vision, autonomic function and/or motor activity
Focal seizures
begin in one part of the cerebral hemisphere
Generalized seizures
—begin with generalized abnormal electrical activity
Status Epilepticus
a seizure lasting longer than 30" or multiple seizures without return to baseline in a 30"
window
Focal [Partial] Seizures
Begin in limited region of one hemisphere and show focal EEG abnormalities Patient
may have varying levels of consciousness [LOC]
Focal without impaired consciousness [Simple partial seizures]
, No altered LOC Usually, they are the aura that patient experiences before a larger
seizure
Focal with impaired consciousness [Complex partial seizures]
If seizure activity spreads and involves brainstem or both hemispheres, consciousness
will be altered and then seizure is considered complex partial seizure [CPS],Altered
LOC and behaviors such as automatisms are thought of as CPS If seizure spreads
bilaterally and involves the motor cortex, patient may experience a secondarily
generalized seizure
Complex Partial Seizures Focal w/LOC
Most common type of seizures in adults with epilepsy
During the seizure, patient appears to be awake, but not in contact with others and does
not respond to instructions or questions The seizure lasts 1-3 minutes and may be
preceded by a SPS After patient enters postictal phase, they are often somnolent,
confused and complain of headache for several hours
Convulsive Generalized Seizures
Electrical activity begins in both cerebral hemispheres Usually seen with idiopathic
epilepsy Consciousness is impaired EEG shows generalized spike and wave patterns
Can be difficult to distinguish tonic/clonic seizure from a CPS that is 2nd generalized
Important to do so, as meds are given based on seizure type Also know as tonic/clonic,
grand mal or major motor seizures
Tonic/Clonic Generalized Seizures
Begins with abrupt loss of consciousness All of muscles of arms/legs, as well as chest
and back, become stiff Patient may appear cyanotic during this tonic phase After 1
WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A++
Seizures—An Update
Provoked seizures may never recur and may not need treatment other than treating the
underlying medical condition—fever, trauma, low blood sugar, hyponatremia,
hypocalcemia, drug abuse, alcohol withdrawal
Epilepsy
2 or more unprovoked seizures, Seizures can cause changes in consciousness,
sensation, psychological feelings, smell, vision, autonomic function and/or motor activity
Focal seizures
begin in one part of the cerebral hemisphere
Generalized seizures
—begin with generalized abnormal electrical activity
Status Epilepticus
a seizure lasting longer than 30" or multiple seizures without return to baseline in a 30"
window
Focal [Partial] Seizures
Begin in limited region of one hemisphere and show focal EEG abnormalities Patient
may have varying levels of consciousness [LOC]
Focal without impaired consciousness [Simple partial seizures]
, No altered LOC Usually, they are the aura that patient experiences before a larger
seizure
Focal with impaired consciousness [Complex partial seizures]
If seizure activity spreads and involves brainstem or both hemispheres, consciousness
will be altered and then seizure is considered complex partial seizure [CPS],Altered
LOC and behaviors such as automatisms are thought of as CPS If seizure spreads
bilaterally and involves the motor cortex, patient may experience a secondarily
generalized seizure
Complex Partial Seizures Focal w/LOC
Most common type of seizures in adults with epilepsy
During the seizure, patient appears to be awake, but not in contact with others and does
not respond to instructions or questions The seizure lasts 1-3 minutes and may be
preceded by a SPS After patient enters postictal phase, they are often somnolent,
confused and complain of headache for several hours
Convulsive Generalized Seizures
Electrical activity begins in both cerebral hemispheres Usually seen with idiopathic
epilepsy Consciousness is impaired EEG shows generalized spike and wave patterns
Can be difficult to distinguish tonic/clonic seizure from a CPS that is 2nd generalized
Important to do so, as meds are given based on seizure type Also know as tonic/clonic,
grand mal or major motor seizures
Tonic/Clonic Generalized Seizures
Begins with abrupt loss of consciousness All of muscles of arms/legs, as well as chest
and back, become stiff Patient may appear cyanotic during this tonic phase After 1
