Chapter 52: Seizures

Question 0

Second Impact syndrome

Answer 0

1. A second concussion may cause more harm to the brain and may even lead to death
2. Talk with health provider before child returns to activities or sports

Question 1

Most Important Thing to assess after head injury is?

Answer 1

1. LOC

Question 2

Head Injury Can Cause?

Answer 2

1. Change in a child’s behavior

Question 3

1st Action to Take when Child has Seizure?

Answer 3

1. Turn the child on their side to prevent ASPIRATION

Question 4

Glascow Coma Scale Measures what 3 things?

Answer 4

1. Eye opening
2. Verbal response
3. Motor response

Question 5

What will you see in a child after a tonic clonic seizure?

Answer 5

1. Fatigue

Question 6

Seizure

Answer 6

1. Excessive abnormal discharge of neurons

Question 7

Generalized Seizures

Answer 7

1. Consciousness is impaired
2. Involvement of both cerebral hemispheres
3. Onset at any age

Question 8

Tonic-Clonic Seizures (grand-mal)

Answer 8

1. Cause an abrupt arrest of activity and impairment of consciousness
2. Tonic phase consists of a sustained generalized stiffening of muscles
3. Clonic phase is symmetrical and rhythmic, consisting of alternating contraction and relaxation of major muscle groups
4. Tonic-clonic seizure is followed by a variable period of confusion, lethargy , and sleep (postictal phase)

Question 9

Tonic-Clonic Seizure

-What follows the seizure?

Answer 9

1. The tonic-clonic seizure is followed by a variable period of confusion, lethargy and sleep (postictal phase)

Question 10

Atonic Seizures

Answer 10

1. Cause an abrupt loss of postural tone
2. Child may experience head drop or a drop attack
   - fall to the ground, often face down, lose consciousness for a few seconds

Question 11

Myoclonic Seizures

Answer 11

1. Brief, random contractions of a muscle group, followed by loss of muscle tone and forward falling
2. Can occur as early as 2 months of age
   - most often seen in school-age children or adolescents

Question 12

Absence Seizures (Petit mal seizures)

Answer 12

1. No muscle activity occurs except for upward rolling of the eyes
2. The child has a blank facial expression
3. Only last 5 to 10 seconds or less
   - may occur hundreds of times per day
4. Children immediately return to activity they were participating in prior to the seizure ***

Question 13

Focal Seizures

Answer 13

1. limited functional area in one hemisphere of the brain is involved
   - symptoms on only one side of the body
2. An AURA is part of a focal seizure
3. Children may exhibit automatisms which are repetitive non-purposeful movements

Question 14

Status Epilepticus

Answer 14

1. A prolonged seizure lasting more than 30 minutes with no return to a normal level of consciousness
2. Most common form of status epilepticus is generalized status, which has the highest potential for complications and possible death

Question 15

What is one of the 1st drugs given in the ER for a Tonic-clonic seizure?

Answer 15

1. Ativan