Chapter 20 - Seizures, Dizziness, and Fainting

What is the aura phase?

"Warning" sensation of a few seconds Visual or auditory

How should you care for fainting?

1. If the victim has not yet fainted, prevent him or her from falling by having the victim sit down with head between the knees or have the victim lie on the floor with legs elevated 8 to 12 inches 2. If the victim has already fainted, keep the victim in a supine position; elevate the legs 8 to 12 inches 3. Monitor for possible vomiting; loosen clothing that might restrict free breathing 4. Make a rapid assessment for any life-threatening condition that may have caused the fainting; initiate appropriate care 5. Check for any injuries that may have occurred during the fall; treat appropriately 6. Do not allow a person who has fainted to sit up immediately. Instead, have the victim sit up slowly and gradually 7. Help the victim feel better by moving him or her to fresh air or by putting a cool, damp cloth on the face

What is the tonic phase?

15 to 20 seconds Victim loses consciousness Continuous muscular contraction Victim stops breathing

What is the tonic-clonic phase?

30 to 60 seconds Muscular rigidity and relaxation in rapid succession Frothy saliva Victim may lose bowel and bladder control

What is the hypertonic phase?

5 to 15 seconds Extreme muscle rigidity

What are Jacksonian seizures mistaken for?

Acting out Bizarre behavior

What is a toxic cause of seizures?

Allergic reactions to drugs

What is a vascular cause of seizures?

Any condition that reduces blood flow to the brain

What are the phases of a grand mal seizure?

Aura Tonic phase Hypertonic phase Tonic-Clonic phase Autonomic Discharge Post-seizure phase Postictal phase

What are some signs and symptoms of a petit mal seizure?

Blank stare Rapid blinking Chewing movements Lasts only a few seconds Often times mistaken for: - Daydreaming - Inattention - In children, deliberately ignoring adult instructions

What are atonic seizures often mistaken for?

Clumsiness Lack of walking skills Normal childhood developmental

What are myoclonic seizures typically mistaken for?

Clumsiness Poor circulation

What is a metabolic cause of seizures?

Derangements in the body's chemistry

What are degenerative causes of seizures?

Disease that cause degeneration of CNS including multiple sclerosis

What are psychomotor seizures typically mistaken for?

Drunkenness, drug intoxication, mental illness

What are some signs and symptoms of central vertigo?

Dysfunction of the eye muscles Unequal

What are some acute causes of epilepsy?

Head injury or stroke Hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia Congenital brain defects Severe burns Low levels of oxygen in the brain Drugs or alcohol

What is an infection cause of seizures?

Inflammation of the brain caused by bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection

What are seizures?

Involuntary, sudden change in sensation, behavior, muscle activity, or level of consciousness - Results from irritation or overactivity of brain cells - Caused by an abnormal discharge or electrical energy in the brain - Sudden in onset - Convulsions may be present

What are signs and symptoms of a Jacksonian seizure?

Jerking in fingers and toes Victim stays awake, aware Jerking may progress up hand, arm, then to whole body - Convulsive seizure

What is the autonomic discharge phase?

Lasts only a few seconds Hyperventilation, salivation, and rapid heart rate

What is labyrinthine vertigo?

More common type of vertigo - Disturbance in the inner ear Episodes may last for hours

What is a febrile cause of seizures?

Most common in children 6 months to 3 years Rapid rise in temperature is main cause

What are some signs and symptoms of syncope?

Nausea Light-headedness Weakness Shakiness Deep abdominal pain Pounding in the head

What are some signs and symptoms of labyrinthine vertigo?

Nausea, vomiting, whirling sensation Rapid, involuntary twitching of the eyeball Pale, moist skin Rapid heartbeat Symptoms worsen when victim moves

What is a trauma cause of seizures?

Previous brain injury due to scar tissue

What is the postictal phase?

Recover phase, 5 to 30 minutes Muscles relax and victim slowly becomes responsive

What is epilepsy?

Recurrent, unprovoked seizures

What are some causes of fainting?

Severe emotion Profound pain Standing or sitting too long without moving Low blood sugar Irregular heart rhythm

What is a idiopathic cause of seizures?

Spontaneous from an unknown cause

What are signs and symptoms of a psychomotor seizure?

Starts with blank stare, followed by chewing or other random repetitive activity Victim appears dazes Mumbling Victim picks at self, may remove clothing Victim struggles or flails if restrained Post seizure confusion

What are some signs and symptoms of a grand mal seizure?

Sudden cry or moan, but not because of pain Rigidity Muscle jerks Frothy saliva Shallow breathing Lasts 1 to 2 minutes - Occurs in "phases"

What is a atonic seizure?

Sudden loss of muscle tone "drop seizure"

What are some signs and symptoms of a myoclonic seizure?

Sudden, brief, massive muscle jerking that can involve part or all of body

What is fainting?

Technical term is "syncope" Sudden or brief loss of consciousness that results because of inadequate oxygen to the brain

What is the post-seizure phase?

Victim lapses into a coma

What is central vertigo?

vertigo that originates in brain and brain structures