Emergency Care: Seizures and Strokes

Two Types of Stroke

Ischemic Stroke and Hemorrhagic Stroke

One can be a trigger for the other. A ____________ can cause a _____________. a. stroke b. seizure

stroke; seizure

ischemic stroke

the most common type of stroke, which occurs when the arteries carrying blood to the brain are blocked

Take the following steps to care for someone you suspect is having a stroke:

- Assess the scene for safety - Call 9-1-1 - Put on gloves if you have them - Place the person in the recovery position. - Monitor the person's breathing and heartbeat. Be prepared to give CPR if necessary - Remember the time that the symptoms of stroke first began and tell emergency medical staff when they arrive - If the person is conscious, provide emotional support

A First Responder's Reaction to a Seizure:

- Assess the scene for the safety of yourself and the person having the seizure. Note the time the seizure started - Put on gloves if you have them - Carefully place the person on the floor - Remove any sharp or hard objects from the area - Loosen any clothing around the person's neck and remove eyeglasses - Cushion the person's head - When the convulsions have stopped, turn the person on their side - Remain with the person and provide emotional support - Call 9-1-1 if necessary

Rules For When a Person Is Having a Seizure:

- Do NOT put anything in the person's mouth. A person having a seizure cannot swallow their own tongue. - Do NOT give the person food. The airway should be kept clear so the person can breathe. - Do NOT restrain the person. Instead, move potentially harmful objects out of the area.

Ways That People With Epilepsy Can Prevent Having a Seizure:

- anti seizure medications are effective at controlling seizures in most people with epilepsy - brain surgery is an option for patients who do not respond to anti seizure medications; for the surgery to be helpful, surgeons must be able to identify the part of the brain causing the seizures - vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a type of treatment that requires a small battery to be implanted under the patient's skin; energy from the battery can be used to stimulate a nerve and prevent or stop seizures

known causes of seizures:

- brain damage - epilepsy - high fever - consuming drugs or poisons

Symptoms of a seizure before it happens:

- feeling anxious - nausea - dizziness - seeing bright lights or spots

Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke

- headache - dizziness or confusion - loss of strength or vision on one side of the body - difficulty speaking - fainting - seizures

You can reduce your risk of stroke by:

- quitting smoking - managing high blood pressure - eating a healthy diet - avoiding alcohol - controlling diabetes These lifestyle changes can also reduce your risk of heart disease.

Strategies to help a person manage their seizure disorder:

- seizure response dogs; they may bark to get the attention of others, or cushion the person in the event of falling the floor - avoid driving, operating heavy machinery, or climbing ladders; modifying behaviors reduces the risk of physical injury in the event of a seizure

Call 9-1-1 for a seizure if:

- the person has never had a seizure before - the person has two or more seizures in a row - the seizure is longer than five minutes - the person is unconscious or has trouble breathing after the convulsions end - the person is pregnant - the person suffered major injuries resulting from the convulsions

symptoms of a seizure:

- uncontrolled eye movements - metallic or bitter taste in the mouth - quick loss of consciousness - drooling, grunting, or snorting - uncontrolled body movements - loss of bladder or bowel control

To Prevent Head Injury In a Seizure:

- wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, riding a skateboard, or participating in a sport with a risk of falling - use a seat belt when driving or riding in a motor vehicle - remove fall hazards from the home, especially for children and seniors - avoid using drugs or alcohol before driving a car, riding a bike, or playing sports

F ace A rms S peech T ime

Face: Can you smile? Notice if one side of the mouth droops down. Arms: Can you lift you arms? Notice if one arm is higher than the other. Speech: Can you repeat this sentence? Notice if the speech is slurred. Time: to call 9-1-1 if you see any of these signs.

Why must a person who has had a stroke be treated immediately? Select all that apply. a. stroke can cause death b. the person might feel completely normal right after having a stroke but may have long-term damage c. some medications for stroke are only effective if used within three hours of stroke d. stroke can lead to heart disease

a and c - Stroke is a medical emergency because it can be fatal. In addition, the person has the best chance of recovery and survival if help is given quickly.

In which situations would you call 9-1-1 for a seizure? Check all that apply. a. the seizure lasts one minute b. the person having the seizure is pregnant c. the person is breathing and conscious after the seizure d. the person suffered a head injury during the seizure

a and d

seizure-response dog

a dog trained to respond to a person having a seizure

recovery position

a position in which a person is laid on one side of the body, with the bottom arm raised above the head so that the head is supported by the upper arm, and the top knee bent and moved forward to rest on the ground

epilepsy

a seizure disorder caused by a problem with electrical signals in the brain

heart disease

a term used to describe many medical conditions that negatively affect the heart

speech therapy

a therapy that helps a stroke survivor improve the ability to communicate

occupational therapy

a therapy that teaches a patient how to practice self-care

physical therapy

a therapy that uses special exercises to help a patient walk and deal with muscle imbalances

cardiovascular disease

a type of heart disease characterized by a narrowing of arteries

hemorrhagic stroke

a type of stroke that occurs when an artery feeding the brain breaks

What are some strategies that can be used to prevent stroke? Check all that apply. a. not smoking b. drinking alcohol c. eating a healthy diet d. avoiding heavy physical activity e. maintaining a normal blood pressure

a, c, and e

Which might a person having a stroke experience? Check all that apply. a. headache b. runny nose c. stomach pain d. difficulty speaking e. loss of strength on one side of the body

a, d, and e

What question would you ask someone if you suspect a stroke? a. Can you lift both arms for me? b. Can you hear me? c. Are you choking? d. Are you okay?

a. Can you lift both arms for me? - Look for different responses in the left and right sides of the body. When the person lifts their arms, if you notice that one arm is sagging lower than the other, that might indicate a stroke.

Which of the following is a treatment that can prevent seizures in some people with epilepsy? a. brain surgery b. occupational therapy c. seizure response dogs

a. brain surgery

After a stroke, a recovering patient might need ______________ to help with being able to communicate. a. speech therapy b. physical therapy c. occupational therapy

a. speech therapy

seizure

an abnormal pattern of electricity in the brain that can cause convulsions

stroke

an event that occurs when the brain does not get an adequate supply of blood

convulsion

an involuntary muscle movement

Stroke can be caused by a. epilepsy b. poor blood flow to the brain c. a blocked artery in the brain d. an electrical disturbance in the brain

b and c

What should you do if you suspect a person is having a stroke? Check all that apply. a. give the person food and water b. be prepared to start CPR if necessary c. take note of the time the stroke began d. wait to call 9-1-1 to see if it is serious enough

b and c

A woman in the park has just fallen to the ground and is shaking violently. You suspect she is having a seizure. What should you do? Check all that apply. a. hold her body still b. loosen the scarf around her neck c. move any objects that are around the woman's body d. put something in her mouth to prevent her from chipping her teeth

b and c - Never put anything in the mouth of a person having a seizure or attempt to restrain their movements. Instead, allow the person's body to move about, and remove any potentially dangerous objects from the immediate area.

Which of the following strategies can help prevent seizures? Select all that apply. a. seeing a physical therapist b. using your seatbelt in a car to avoid injury c. eating fruit and vegetables d. wearing a helmet when playing football

b and d

How should you position a person who has had stroke for recovery? a. upright in a chair b. on the side with the head resting on one raised arm c. flat on the back with a pillow under the head d. lying down with feet elevated on a chair

b. on the side with the head resting on one raised arm

Also, stroke patients might need _____________ to rehabilitate muscles that do not work properly after the stroke. a. speech therapy b. physical therapy c. occupational therapy

b. physical therapy

Which is appropriate for responding to both a seizure and stroke? a. give medication b. provide emotional support c. move sharp objects away d. remind person to avoid smoking

b. provide emotional support

Seizures and strokes are both related to problems in the _______.

brain

While out to dinner at a restaurant, you notice someone at the next table in trouble. Which might indicate a seizure? Select all that apply. a. choking b. sneezing c. drooling e. complaining of a metallic taste

c and d - People who have seizures do not always experience convulsions. Other signs and symptoms include drooling, frothing at the mouth and metallic taste in the mouth.

Strokes are dangerous because they can cause a. heart disease b. massive blood loss c. brain damage or death d. cancer

c. brain damage or death

After a stroke, a survivor a. will quickly be able to get back to an ordinary lifestyle b. has no chance of being able to perform self care anymore c. may work with a larger team of healthcare professionals to regain an independent lifestyle

c. may work with a larger team of healthcare professionals to regain an independent lifestyle

What is the most important thing to consider when responding to a person who is having convulsions during a seizure? a. providing CPR b. controlling breathing c. preventing the person from moving around too much d. keeping the person safe from physical injury

d. keeping the person safe from physical injury

Your classmate has epilepsy, but she is able to manage the disease. What treatment is she most likely using? a. avoiding stressful situations b. participating in physical therapy c. wearing a helmet d. taking anti seizure medication

d. taking anti seizure medication - Epilepsy is commonly controlled with anti seizure medication.

Why would a stroke survivor need to work with an occupational therapist? a. to get help with seeking employment b. to gain improved communication skills c. to be able to cope with the psychological damage from stroke d. to relearn skills of daily living, like dressing and going to the bathroom

d. to relearn skills of daily living, like dressing and going to the bathroom - Stroke survivors lose many skills from the brain damage that comes with having a stroke. With help from multiple healthcare professionals, like occupational therapists, a stroke survivor can once again live independently.