Unit 5 -Neuro Flashcards
seizure
Brief abnormal nurst of electrical activity in the brain that alters one or more of the following:
movement, sensation, behaviour, awareness
what causes someone be diagnosed with a seizure disorder
2 or more seizures 24 hours apart. Or if they have one that puts them at high risk
Pre ictal phase of a seizure
Warning signs before a seizure occurs.
Ora: Sensory, motor, emotional symptoms
Ictal phase
seizure activity seconds to minutes, abnormal activity
Post ictal phase
recovery, confusion, fatigue, mins to hours
age related seizure causes
Children: Birth trauma, infection, febrile, congenital abnormalities
Middle years: Trauma, inf, alcohol, drugs
Elderly: CVA and metastatic brain tumour
seizure causes
brain tumour, trauma, vascular disease, borth hypoxia
Possible seizure triggers
specific time of day or night, sleep deprivation, fever or other illness, alcohol, stress, hormonal/metabolic, specific foods, meds taking/not taking, accident/injury, senses (light, smell), hypoglycemia, dehydration, over exertion
seizure lab work
decreased NA and Cam Hypoglycemia, kidney function,
Partial seizure
electrical disturbance limited to 1 area of the brain.
Simple: awareness, consciousness, and memory perserved less then 1 minute.
Complex: altered consiousness for more then 1 minute. Post-ictal. Often involve lip smoking and repetitive movement.
Generalized seizure
Electrical disturbance affects the entire brain.
Tonic: Decreased LOC, tonic stiffening, clonic jerking, entire body stiffens as the mucles contract. Absence: rarely beyond adolescence.
tonic phase presentation adn duration
LOC. May cry out. Fall down. Entire body stiffens as the muscle contract. cyanosis.
10-20 sec
Clonic phase presentation and duration
Jerking of extremities, cyanosis, excessice salivation, tongue/cheek biting, incontinance
Post seizure presentation
groggy, muscle soreness, no recall of event, tired, sleepy, can be aggressive. varies in how long it lasts,
How to protect your patient from injury during seizure
if they are upright ease to floor, portect head with padding, push aside any furnature that is in the way.
Raise side rails, bed at lowest position, DO NOT open jaws that are clenched and insert anything in, restain the pateint in any way
Seizures mimic
migraine, syncope, stroke, non epipetic spell, movement disorder, night terrors, panic attacks
seizure precautions
working O2, suction, oral airway HOB, IV access, rectal temp, bed in lowest position, padded rails, brain on, patient on side, privacy
Observe and record what during seizure
time, what they are doing, aura, triggering events, seizure progression and symmetry, eyes
Post ictal nursing management
ensure patent airway, check for injury especally tongue and oral cavity, suction PRN, IV access, NPO, remove loosen tight clothing, document, offer emotional support
Epilepsy
2 or more unprovoked seizures seperated by atleast 24 hours, recurring seizure. Only 1% of people will suffer from epilesy
when is a seizure an emergency
longer then 5 mins, 2nd without regaining consciousness, repeated seizure over a 30 minute perios
AED
Anti epileptic drug, effective in 70% of patients, take as perscribed, do not suddently stop,
Nursing managment for epilepsy
Health promotion, ensure treatment, assess progress, involve the family, have a predetermined plan for seizure
Nursing priorites for epilepsy
ABC
-prevent or control seizure, protect pateint from injury, maintain airway or resp function, promote positive self esteem, provide info about disease prognosis
