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Seizures and Syncope (Chapter 19)

Terms in this set (47)

1. A sudden and temporary alteration in brain function caused by massive electrical discharge in a group of nerve cells in the brain is called
A. a convulsion. C. postictal activity.
B. a seizure. D. dysrhythmias.
B
2. The chronic brain disorder that is characterized by recurrent seizures is called

A. the aura. C. epilepsy.
B. CVA. D. postictal activity.
C
3. All of the following are common causes of seizures except
A. shock. C. infection.
B. hypoxia. D. hypoglycemia
D
4. The period following a seizure in which the patient may be unresponsive & extremely sleepy&weak% and disoriented is called the
A. grand mal state. C. tonic phase.
B. postictal state. D. clonic phase.
B
5. Many patients will tell the EMT that they knew they were going to seize because they experienced a(n)
A. tonic phase. C. clonic phase.
B. postictal state. D. aura.
D
6. The period of a seizure when the patient's muscles become contracted and tense with arching of the back is called the
A. tonic phase. C. clonic phase.
B. postictal state. D. aura.
A
7. The period of a seizure when muscles spasm and then relax: producing violent and jerky activity is called the
A. clonic phase. C. aura.
B. tonic phase. D. postictal state.
A
8. A life-threatening condition characterized by a patient's seizing for more than 30 minutes or by two or more seizures without a full recovery of consciousness between seizures is called
A. a grand mal seizure. C. status epilepticus.
B. a convulsion. D. epilepsy.
C
9. A sudden and temporary loss of consciousness is called
A. epilepsy. C. syncope.
B. a convulsion. D. seizure.
C
10. Which type of seizure is most common in children between 6 months and 6 years old and is caused by high fever?
A. Absence (petit mal) seizure C. Grand mal seizure
B. Febrile seizure D. Complex partial seizure
B
11. A type of seizure most common in children which is characterized by a blank stare lasting only a few seconds and beginning and ending abruptly is called a(n) ______
A. complex partial seizure. C. Jacksonian seizure.
B. focal sensory seizure. D. absence seizure.
D
12. If a patient's seizures last longer than 5 minutes the EMT should control the airway and consider which other intervention?
A. Endotracheal intubation C. Positive pressure ventilations
B. CPR D. AED use
C
13. All of the following are medications often used in the treatment of epilepsy except
A. Dilantin. C. insulin.
B. Mysoline. D. phenobarbital
C.
14. The term for weakness on one side of the body is
A. aphasia. C. hemiparalysis.
B. dysphasia. D. hemiparesis
D
15. UsuallYY a postictal patient should be placed in
A. Trendelenburg position. C. lateral recumbent position.
B. Fowler's position. D. prone position.
C
__________16. Seizures are thought to begin through excitation of an ever-growing group of susceptible neurons in the cerebral cortex or thalamus of the brain a process known as
A. recruitment. C. hypoxemia.
B. tonic‒clonic activity. D. cycling.
A
__________17. Which patient care is commonly required for a myoclonic seizure?
A. Positive pressure ventilation C. Intubation by an ALS unit
B. Guiding the tonic‒clonic activity D. None if the seize lasts for less than 30 minutes
D
_________18. Which type of seizure's symptoms change how the patient thinkS feels. or experiences things?
A. Sensory seizure C. Autonomic seizure
B. Motor seizure D. Psychic seizure
D
_________19. According to the American Epilepsy Society guidelines nonconvulsive seizures that produce a continuous or fluctuating "epileptic twilight" state are classified as
A. repeated partial seizures. C. status epilepticus.
B. Jacksonian seizures. D. sensory seizures
C.
_________20. Immediately following the convulsive activity it is recommended that the patient be provided
A. positive pressure ventilation.
B. oxygen therapy via a nasal cannula at 2 lpm until the end of the postictal period.
C. oxygen therapy via a nasal cannula at 2 lpm.
D. high-concentration oxygen by a nonrebreather mask.
D
1. A(n) is a sudden and temporary alteration in brain function caused by massive electrical discharge in a group of nerve cells in the brain.
seizure
2. A common cause of seizures is , a chronic brain disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
epilepsy
3. The state follows the seizure and is the recovery period for the patient.
postictal
4. Seizure activity that is related to an injury or a medical condition may be an ominous sign of

or even permanent brain damage.
brain injury
5. You cannot force a patient to accept transport or treatment, but you do need to

the call.
document
6. If the patient is talking normally, it indicates a(n) airway and

breathing.
open, adequate
7. A patient who experiences seizures that last more than 30 minutes or seizures that occur consecutively without a period of full responsiveness between them is considered to be in
status epilepticus
8. You would perform a(n) if the patient is postictal and still has an altered mental status or if she does not have a past medical history of epilepsy or seizures.
rapid assessment
9. The serves as a warning that a seizure is going to begin and involves some type of sensory perception by the patient.
aura
10. is a sudden and temporary loss of consciousness.
syncope
11. The EMT should place a syncopal patient in the _____________________ position to allow for improved blood flow to the brain.
supine
12. seizures, caused by high fever, are most common in young children.
febrile
13. The EMT needs to be aware that medical conditions such as ____________________________
and may be confused with a seizure or may produce a seizure.
heart attack, stroke
14. A seizing patient's movements should be __________________ rather than

to prevent further injury.
guided, restrained
15. The EMT should gather a(n) __________________ history from the responsive seizure patient, relatives, and/or bystanders.
SAMPLE
1. List five common causes of seizures.
Any five: high fever, infection, poisoning, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, head injury, shock, hypoxia, stroke, drug or alcohol withdrawal, dysrhythmias, hypertension, pregnancy complications, idiopathic causes.
2. List seven steps in the emergency medical care for a patient with a generalized tonic‒clonic seizure.
Prevent injury. Position the patient. Maintain a patent airway. Suction. Assist breathing. Assure an SpO2 of 94% or greater. Transport.
3. List the stages or phases of a generalized tonic‒clonic seizure.
Aura, tonic phase, hypertonic phase, clonic phase, postictal state.
4. List the steps of emergency medical care for a patient with syncope.
Conduct a primary assessment and focused history and physical exam. Place the patient in the supine position. Administer oxygen if the SpO2 is less than 94% or signs of respiratory distress, hypoxia, hypoxemia, or poor perfusion are present. Assess vital signs.
A seizure is a
sudden and temporary alteration in brain function caused by electrical discharges in in the brain.
Primary (Unprovoked) Seizures
Occur from a genetic or unknown cause.
Generalized seizures involve both hemispheres of the brain.
Partial seizures involve
one hemisphere:
Simple partial seizures
Complex partial seizures
Secondary (Provoked) Seizures
Occur from an underlying cause.
There are several causes, and the seizures are usually generalized.
Status epilepticus
Generalized motor seizures that last more than 30 minutes or seizures that occur consecutively without a period of responsiveness between them
Life-threatening emergency
Generalized Seizures (Tonic-clonic seizure.)
Involves the cerebral hemispheres and reticular activating system.
Patient is not awake or aware.
Simple partial seizure
Involves abnormal movements of one area of the body.
The patient is awake and aware.
The seizure may spread and generalize.
Complex partial seizure
The patient remains awake, but is not aware.
Starts with a blank stare followed by random movements.
May repeat words or phrases.
Does not respond to commands.
Emergency medical care.
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