Seizures NCLEX review for nursing students. This review is part of a neuro review, so be sure to check out those other NCLEX reviews. Don’t forget to take the quiz that contains
seizures NCLEX questions. What are seizures? Seizures occur when abnormal electrical signals are being rapidly fired for neurons in the brain. This can happen throughout the brain affecting both
sides (generalized seizure) or being located in a specific area of the brain (partial or focal
seizure). Seizures can occur in anyone (children and adults) due to a severe acute condition, such as a high fever, illness (especially central nervous system types like bacterial meningitis), hypoglycemia, acid-base imbalances like acidosis, alcohol withdraw, brain tumor etc. Once the condition is corrected the seizures tend to stop. However, some patients can experience epilepsy. Epilepsy is where the patient has frequent seizures due to a chronic condition of some type like congenital brain defect, stroke, traumatic brain injury, long-lasting effects of an infection etc. Simplified Patho of SeizuresIn the brain, our neurons are tasked with handling and transmitting information. There are two types of neurons I want to discuss. These are excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Just like their name says, excitatory neurons produce “an action” or cause “excitement” by releasing a neurotransmitter called glutamate (this is an excitatory neurotransmitter). Inhibitory neurons “stop an action” or cause inhibition by releasing an inhibitory neurotransmitter called GABA. ***For seizure activity not to occur in a healthy brain, there needs to be a proper balance between these two types of neurons. If there is an imbalance of excitatory neurons vs. inhibitory neurons seizures will occur. For example, if there is not enough GABA (remember this is the inhibitory neurotransmitter) being released, too much excitation will occur leading to seizure activity. The reason I cover this is to help you understand how some of the anti-seizure drugs work to treat seizures. For instance, barbiturates stimulate GABA receptors which help control excitation and decreases seizure activity (more about medications below). Types of Seizures**remember these types for exams, especially their characteristics, expected duration, post ictus phase etc. Generalized: seizure is affecting both parts of the brain
Tonic seizure: (stiffening of the body….risk for falling) or Clonic seizure: (jerking….can be symmetrical or asymmetrical ) Absence Seizure (formerly called petit-mal)
Atonic (drop attacks):
Myoclonic:
Focal (also called partial): affects a specific part of the brain Two types: know the main differences which is that with focal onset aware (simple partial) the patient is AWARE of their surroundings but with focal impaired awareness (complex partial) the patient is NOT aware of their surroundings AND will have motor symptoms called automatisms. Focal Onset AWARE (simple partial): symptoms vary depending on where the seizure is located
Focal Impaired AWARENESS (complex partial): alternation in awareness and has motor symptoms
Stages of Experiencing a SeizureWe can divide how a person experiences a seizure into stages (it varies depending on the seizure type, so remember that) Prodromal: when symptoms start to appear prior to the big event (hence seizure)
Aura: doesn’t happen with all types
Ictus: (word means seizure) this is the actual seizure
Post Ictus: (after the seizure) brain is going to rest and recover from the seizure
Nursing Interventions for SeizuresAssess risk factors for seizure (remember any patient can experience this if any of the causes mentioned above are presenting…you want to be prepared. If risk factors present initiate seizure precautions:
Assess if your patient has a history of seizures in the past and if so what type of seizure, ask if the patient experiences prodromal signs and symptoms or an aura before the seizure, how long does the seizure last? If patient is able to report prodromal or aura….help patient prepare by getting the patient in a safe position by lying down on their side. What to do when your patient has a seizure? Protect patient if they are standing-up or sitting down by:
****Questions to be asking yourself during the seizure****
Your role during the Post Ictus stage: Note the time the seizure stopped and how the patient is behaving afterwards:
EEG may be ordered: What’s an EEG?: assesses brain activity
Education to patient about factors that can trigger a seizure: “Stop Seizure” Stress Trauma to the head Overexertion Period, pregnancy (hormones) Sleep depravation Electrolyte and metabolic issues (hypoglycemia, dehydration, acidosis) Illness (high fever) VisualiZation disturbances (strobe lights, certain smells or sounds) Under medicated with seizure med (remind patient importance of taking and coming to office visits to get drug levels drawn) Recreational drugs ETOH use Medications/TreatmentsMedications treat based on type of seizure: Barbiturates: Phenobarbital (used tonic-clonic or focal seizures & status epilepticus)
Hydantoins: Phenytoin (used in tonic-clonic or focal seizures)
Benzodiazepines: absence seizures, tonic clonic, focal
Valproates: Valproic Acid
Other treatments:
References: National Institute of Health. NIH Clinical Center Patient Education Materials Electroencephalogram (EEG) [Ebook] (pp. 1-2). Retrieved from https://clinicalcenter.nih.gov/ccc/patient_education/procdiag/eeg.pdf Seizure First Aid | Epilepsy | CDC. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/epilepsy/about/first-aid.htm The Epilepsies and Seizures: Hope Through Research | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Retrieved from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Hope-Through-Research/Epilepsies-and-Seizures-Hope-Through What are nursing interventions for seizures?A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain.. Prevent trauma/injury. ... . Promote airway clearance. ... . Improve self-esteem. ... . Enforce education about the disease.. What are appropriate interventions when a client is having a seizure?These are general steps to help someone who is having any type seizure: Stay with the person until the seizure ends and he or she is fully awake. After it ends, help the person sit in a safe place. Once they are alert and able to communicate, tell them what happened in very simple terms.
What are interventions used in seizure precautions?Seizure precautions can include water and heat safety in the form of taking showers rather than baths and cooking on the back burner of the stove. It also may include minimizing the use of ladders and fall-proofing one's house.
What is the priority action for a client experiencing a seizure?The priorities when caring for a patient who is seizing are to maintain a patent airway, protect the patient from injury, provide care during and following the seizure and documenting the event in the health record.
|