• Identify different types of Seizures
o Partial / Focal Seizures involves one hemisphere of the brain
▪ Complex Partial (Focal Motor
... [Show More] Seizure)
• Impairment of awareness, associated with automatisms such as
o Lip smacking
o Chewing at clothes
o Fidgeting and other involuntary but coordinated movements
• Loss of consciousness or black out for several minutes
• Amnesia can occur immediately prior to and after seizures.
▪ Simple Partial Sensory (Focal non-motor seizure)
• Unusual sensations affecting
o Vision
o Smell
o Taste
o Touch
o Hearing
• Consciousness maintained
▪ Simple Partial Psychological (Focal non-motor seizure)
• Memory or emotional disturbances
• Déjà vu
• Consciousness maintained
▪ Simple Partial Motor (Focal motor seizure)
• Unilateral abnormal extremity movement
o Head turning spasms
o Generalized Seizures involves two hemispheres of the brain
▪ Grand Mal / Tonic-Clonic / Generalized
• Start by having an aura (seeing or hearing something that is not there)
o First experience unconsciousness, muscle stiffness followed by 1 -2 minutes of rhythmic jerking of extremities.
▪ Biting of the tongue can occur
o Breathing can stop during tonic phase of irregular during
colic phase.
▪ Absence
• Brief loss of consciousness
• Simple staring episode
▪ Myoclonic
• Can be symmetrical or asymmetrical
• Brief jerking or stiffening of extremities
• Last seconds
▪ Clonic
• Repetitive jerking movements
• Muscle contracts then relaxes
• Lasts several minutes
▪ Tonic
• Increase in muscle tone
o Muscle stiffness and rigidity
• Loss of consciousness
• Last about 30 seconds to several minutes.
• Associated autonomic manifestations
o Arrhythmia
o Apnea
o Vomiting
o Incontinence
▪ Atonic /Akinetic
• Loss of muscle tone
• Frequently results in falling
• Postictal Phase
o After a seizure
o Fatigue and confusion
o Maintain side lying to prevent aspiration
o Suction as needed
o Assess and monitor vital signs
o Allow rest
o Determine trigger
• Nursing interventions/actions associated with seizure documentation
o Glasgow coma scale is used
o Seizure Precautions
▪ Oxygen and suction apparatus available
▪ Privacy provided as soon as possible
▪ Side rails up and padded (can use blankets, towels, ect)
▪ Bed in lowest position
▪ Pillow under head
▪ Patient in side-lying position (immediately post seizure)
o Document the events leading to and occurring during and after seizure
o Nursing Care during a seizure
▪ Ease patient to the floor
▪ Protect head with a pad to prevent injury
▪ Loosen constrictive clothing and remove glasses
▪ Push aside furniture that might injure patient
▪ Do not attempt to open jaws that are clenched
▪ Do not attempt to restrain the patient
o Seizure medications require that blood be monitored
o Document onset, duration and findings
▪ Prior during and after seizure [Show Less]