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Prehospital Emergency Care > Chapter 19 Seizures and Syncope > Flashcards

Chapter 19 Seizures and Syncope Flashcards

1
Q

A sudden and temporary alteration in the brain function caused by massive, continuing electrical discharge in a group of cells in the brain is known as

A

Seizure

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2
Q

jerky muscle contractions are known as

A

convulsions

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3
Q

what is a common cause of seizures

A

Epilepsy

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4
Q

What is epilepsy

A

a chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizures

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5
Q

What is the most common type of epileptic seizures

A

generalized tonic-clonic seizure (grand mal)

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6
Q

how long does a generalized tonic-clonic seizure (grand mal) last

A

rarely more than a few minutes

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7
Q

What is meant by postictal state and how long does it last?

A

it follows a seizure and is the recovery period for the patient

up to 30 min

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8
Q

what are symptoms that a patient may have during postictal state

A

unresponsive extremely sleepy, weak, and disorientated or strokelike symptoms (paralysis)

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9
Q

what are other causes of seizures

A

injuries and other medical conditions

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10
Q

In regards to seizures is an EMT task to diagnose the type of seizure

A

NO….An EMT is to assess for and manage any life-threating conditions and provide reassurance to the patient

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11
Q

How are seizures categorized

A

Primary seizure and secondary seizure

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12
Q

which seizure is usually due to a genetic or unknown cause and are generalized or partial seizures

A

Primary seizure

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13
Q

what is meant by generalized seizure?

A

Generalized seizures involves both cerebral hemispheres (large Lobes) of the brain and the reticular activating system (wake/sleep system)

They produce loss of consciousness, either briefly or for a longer period of time, and are sub-categorized into several major types:

  • Generalized tonic clonic seizures
  • Myoclonic seizures
  • Atonic seizures
  • Absence seizures
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14
Q

what is meant by partial seizures

A

In partial seizures the electrical disturbance is limited to a specific area of one cerebral hemisphere (side of the brain).

Partial seizures are subdivided into simple or complex

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15
Q

A patient suffer from a simple partial seizure (focal motor or Jacksonian seizure) min will remain_________

A

retain consciousness

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16
Q

A patient who suffers a complex partial seizure (psychomotor or temporal seizure) lasting 1-2 will

A

be unconscious or have an altered mental status

17
Q

Secondary seizures are also referred to

A

as reactive seizure

18
Q

what causes secondary seizures

A

insult to the body such as fever, infection, hypoxia, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, drug intoxication, drug withdrawal, eclapsia in pregnancy, degenitive brain disease or electrolyte imbalance

19
Q

a life-threatening condition in which the brain is in a state of persistent seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes, or recurrent seizures without regaining consciousness between seizures for greater than 5 minutes

A

Statues epileptics

20
Q

what takes place during a generalized tonic-clonic seizure (grand mal).

A

The tonic phase comes first: All the muscles stiffen. Air being forced past the vocal cords causes a cry or groan. The person loses consciousness and falls to the floor. The tongue or cheek may be bitten, so bloody saliva may come from the mouth. The person may turn a bit blue in the face. After the tonic phase comes the clonic phase: The arms and usually the legs begin to jerk rapidly and rhythmically, bending and relaxing at the elbows, hips, and knees. After a few minutes, the jerking slows and stops. Bladder or bowel control sometimes is lost as the body relaxes. Consciousness returns slowly, and the person may be drowsy, confused, agitated, or depressed.

21
Q

What are the 6 signs/symptoms of a generalized tonic-clonic seizure (grand mal).

A
  1. Aura (sound, twitch, anxiety, dizziness, a smell, unpleasant feeling, visual disturbance or odd taste.
  2. loss of consciousness
  3. Tonic phase (muscle rigidity)
  4. Hypertonic phase (extreme muscle rigidity and back hyper extends
  5. clonic phase (convulsions) violent jerky loss of bowl/bladder 1-3 min
  6. Postictal state (recovery)
22
Q

Characteristics of a complex partial seizure (psychomotor or temporal seizure)

A

lasts 1-2 min
patient awake but unaware of surroundings
blank stare the
chewing or smacking lips, or rolling fingers
mumbles or repeats words
fits of rage

23
Q

Characteristics of absence or petit mal seizure

A 
most common in children
blank star
beginning and ending abruptly
last only a few seconds
rapid blinking, chewing, and lack of attention

no emergency care needed

24
Q

Characteristics of febrile seizure

A

most common in children 6mo-6yrs

caused by fever

25
Q

What is known as Todd’s Paralysis

A

Paralysis to one side of the body following a general seizure an it may last 24hrs

26
Q

a sudden and temporary loss of consciousness is known as

A

Syncope (fainting)

27
Q

when does Syncope occur

A

when there is a temporary lack of blood flow to the brain and the brain is deprived of oxygen

28
Q

what causes Syncope

A

an overwhelming influence of the parasympathetic nervous system that cause the blood vessels to dilate

29
Q

what is a vasovagal faint

A

is a malaise mediated by the vagus nerve. When it leads to syncope or “fainting”, it is called a vasovagal syncope, which is the most common type of fainting. Vasovagal syncope more commonly affects young adults.

30
Q

sometimes bystanders confuse a syncope episode with a seizure because they both have symptom of jerky movement. How can you tell the difference?

A

with Syncope

episode begins in a standing position
patient remembers felling light-headed
patient responsive immediately after being supine
skin usually pale and moist

31
Q

What are some serious causes of syncope

A 
Myocardial infraction
cardiac dysrhythmias
stroke or TIA
Hypervolemia or blood loss
pulmonary embolism
Cardiac tamponade

Prehospital Emergency Care (46 decks)

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