Taking charge of seizure activity Critical care nursing.
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Transcript of Taking charge of seizure activity Critical care nursing.
Taking charge of seizure activity
Critical care nursing
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Learning objectives
1. Differentiate between partial and generalized seizures.
2. Identify available options to manage seizures.
3. Indicate major patient-education
points regarding seizures.
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What is a seizure?
Abnormal stimulus in the CNS causes excessive and chaotic electrical discharge from brain neurons.
Temporary changes in cerebral function alter motor or autonomic function, consciousness, or sensation.
Someone who has two or more unprovoked seizures because of a chronic underlying
condition has epilepsy.
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Phases of a seizure
Aura May occur before a seizure Examples: depression, certain smell Can occur hours or days before seizure
Ictus Period of seizure activity
Postictus Period after a seizure Patient may be conscious but confused and tired Can last several minutes to hours Patient may not remember the seizure
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Causes of seizures
Genetics Idiopathic (about 75% with unidentified cause) Acquired
Acidosis Electrolyte imbalances Hypoglycemia Hypoxia Alcohol and drug withdrawal Dehydration Systemic lupus erythematosus Hypertension Septicemia Tumors Head trauma
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Seizure causes related to age
Neonates Brain defect Birth injury Meningitis Hypoglycemia Hypocalcemia
Children Febrile illness Lead toxicity Head trauma
Adults Head trauma Alcohol withdrawal Metabolic disorders Brain tumor Brain infection or
inflammation abscess meningitis encephalitis
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Nonepileptic seizure activity
Abnormal electrical discharge of CNS neurons aren’t involved
Examples: Syncope Hyperventilation Pseudoseizures due to psychological
conditions, such as panic and anxiety attacks
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Tracing seizure activity
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Partial seizures
Also known as focal seizures Involve abnormal electrical discharge
in only one brain hemisphere Can be simple or complex
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Simple partial seizure
Patient is conscious and fully aware of seizure activity but can’t control it.
Jerking movements, localized pain, or feeling of déjà vu.
Can progress to a complex or secondary generalized seizure.
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Complex partial seizure
Patient has impaired consciousness without loss of consciousness.
Patient appears awake but can’t understand what’s happening.
May display bizarre, involuntary automatisms, such as rearranging objects, moving in circles, or repetitively smacking lips together.
This type of seizure typically starts in the temporal or frontal lobe.
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Generalized seizures
Involves widespread abnormal electrical discharge across the entire brain cortex
Manifestations can range from violent motor activity to less obvious signs.
Can be convulsive or nonconvulsive
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Convulsive generalized seizures
Also known as tonic-clonic or grand-mal
Loss of consciousness occurs Three phases:
1. Tonic
2. Clonic
3. Postictal
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Tonic phase
Usually lasts 10 to 30 seconds Voluntary muscles contract, arms flex
and legs extend Patient may
fall, if standing make screaming or crying sounds lose bladder and bowel control
Even if her eyes are open, the patient is unresponsive and unaware of her
environment.
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Clonic phase
Seldom lasts longer than 2 minutes Rapid, rhythmic muscle contraction and relaxation
that cause jerking of various body parts Jerking may be limited to fingers or may involve
torso and extremities Saliva pools and causes frothing because patient
can’t swallow Secretions or tongue relaxation can lead to airway
obstruction Periods of relaxation typically lengthen before the
seizure ends
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Postictal phase
Lasts 30 minutes to several hours The patient
lies very still as her brain recovers may be confused, drowsy, nauseated, and
disoriented
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Febrile seizures
Type of convulsive generalized seizure Unrelated to epilepsy Caused by rapid increase in temperature More common in children from 6 months to
5 years old, but can affect adults Typically, rectal temperature is greater than
102° F (38.9° C) 95% to 98% fully recover and never develop
epilepsy
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Nonconvulsive generalized seizures
Less obvious manifestations, so harder to recognize
Three classifications: 1. Absence seizures
2. Myoclonic seizures
3. Atonic seizures
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Absence seizures
Formerly called petit mal Brief interruption in consciousness without loss
of postural control Typically affect children May include periods of staring, lid fluttering, or
lip smacking, while awareness and alertness are impaired
Patient immediately returns to normal activity at end of seizure
A teacher may be the first person to notice absence seizures, commenting that the child daydreams too
much or appears to “blank out” frequently.
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Myoclonic seizures
Triggered by environmental factors, such as flashing lights
Can occur at any age Generally don’t cause loss of consciousness Commonly occur before sleep or after
awakening Characterized by sudden, sporadic jerking
motions of one area or muscle group
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Atonic seizures
Also known as akinetic or astatic seizure Commonly called a “drop attack” Characterized by sudden loss of
postural tone that lasts a few seconds Increased risk of head and neck trauma Typically begin in childhood and
commonly recur into adulthood
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Status epilepticus
Can occur with any type or seizure, but most commonly a complication of convulsive generalized seizures
Identified by either of these criteria: Two or more consecutive seizures without return of
consciousness between them Continuous seizure activity lasting 5 minutes or more
THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY! Compromised airway can lead to hypoxia Neurons begin to die, leading to permanent brain damage
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Protecting your patient during a seizure
Summon help and be prepared to use BLS or ACLS
Lower patient to bed or floor Raise side rails Use pads or cushions to
protect her head Place her on her side to
prevent aspiration Move harmful objects to a
safe distance Provide privacy, if able Don’t put anything in her
mouth
Observe and be aware of potential for status epilepticus
Once seizure is over, place her on her side in rescue position
When she’s awake and alert, assess and reassure her
Prepare for diagnostic testing
Document the event Investigate precipitating
factors
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Pinpointing a diagnosis
History Details about the seizure activity Head trauma, stroke, prior seizures Family history of seizures Use of prescribed or recreational drugs
Neurologic exam by neurologist or other appropriate practitioner
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Pinpointing a diagnosis (cont’d)
Blood work Serum glucose, electrolyte, and osmolality
levels Assays of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) Liver and renal function tests Thyroid studies Arterial blood gases
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Pinpointing a diagnosis(cont’d)
Cardiac studies, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG)
Imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Electroencephalogram (EEG) Observation (if low risk for recurrent
seizures)
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Managing seizures: Medications
Medications work in two ways Suppress activity of damaged neurons Reduce responsiveness of neighboring normal
neurons Patient is started on low dose to minimize
adverse reactions and prevent toxicity Dosage is increased as needed to control
seizures
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Managing seizures: Medications (cont’d)
Drugs used as monotherapy phenytoin valproate carbamazepine lamotrigine phenobarbital
Drugs used to treat status epilepticus lorazepam phenytoin fosphenytoin phenobarbital midazolam propofol
Adjunctive agents ethosuximide methsuximide clonazepam topiramate tiagabine gabapentin primidone felbamate levetiracetam zonisamide oxcarbazepine pregabalin
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Managing seizures: Surgery
Most beneficial when seizures are caused by structural brain abnormalities
Complications include infection, bleeding, and paralysis
Two main procedures Resection – removal of a portion of the temporal
lobe and small portions of the hippocampus on the affected side
Disconnection – cutting through nerve pathways that let seizures spread
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Managing seizures: Vagal nerve stimulation
Implantation of a device that sends mild electrical pulses to the brain via the vagus nerve
Stops the spread of excessive discharge of brain neurons
Requires minor surgical procedure every few years to change the battery
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Patient and family teaching
How to care for the patient during a seizure Medications and importance of adhering to
the regimen Need for periodic blood work Importance of continued follow-up care Methods to prevent injury Patient and family support groups Understanding state’s law on driving