• Also known as convulsions, epileptic seizures, and if recurrent,

epilepsy.
• It is a sudden alterations in normal brain activity that cause distinct
changes in behavior and body function. They are thought to result from
abnormal, recurrent, uncontrolled electric discharges of neurons in the
brain.
• Pathophysiology of seizures is poorly understood but seems to be
related to metabolic and electrochemical factors at the cellular level.
• Predisposing factors include head or brain trauma, tumors, cranial
surgery, metabolic disorders (hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia or
hyperglycemia, hyponatremia, anoxia); central nervous system
infection; circulating disorders; drug toxicity; drug withdrawal states
(alcohol, barbiturates); and congenital neurodegenerative disorders.
• Seizures are classified as partial or generalized by the origin of the
seizure activity and associated clinical manifestations.

a. Simple partial seizures – manifest motor, somatosensory, and

psychomotor symptoms without impairment of consciousness.

b. Complex partial seizures – manifest impairment of consciousness with or

without simple partial symptoms.

c. Generalized seizures – manifest a loss of consciousness with convulsive

or nonconvulsive behaviors and include tonic-clonic, myoclonic, atonic, and
absence seizures.

• Simple partial seizures can progress to complex partial seizures, and

complex partial seizures can secondarily become generalized.
• Seizures affect all ages. Most cases of epilepsy are identified in
childhood, and several seizure types are particular to children.

Assessment:

1. Generalized tonic-clonic (grand mal) seizure

a. May be preceded by an aura such as a peculiar sensation or dizziness;

then sudden onset of seizure with loss of consciousness.
b. Rigid muscle contraction in tonic phase which clenched jaw and hands;
eyes open with pupils dilated; lasts 30 to 60 seconds.

c. Rhythmic, jerky contraction and relaxation of all muscles in clonic phase

with incontinence and frothing at the lips; may bite tongue or cheek, lasts
several minutes.

d. Sleeping or dazed postictal state for up to several hours.

2. Absence ( petit mal) seizure

a. Loss of contact with environment for 5 to 30 seconds.

b. Appears to be day dreaming or may roll eyes, nod head, move hands, or
smack lips.

c. Resumes activity and is not aware of seizure.

3. Myoclonic seizure (infantile spasm)

a. Seen in children or infants, caused by cerebral pathology, often with mental

retardation.

b. Infantile spasms usually disappear by age 4, but child may develop other
types of seizures.

c. Brief, sudden, forceful contractions of the muscles of the trunk, neck, and
extremities.

d. Extensor type – infant extends head, spreads arms out, bend body
backward in “spread eagle” position.

e. Mixed flexor and extensor types may occur in clusters or alternate.

f. May cause children to drop or throw something.

g. Infant may cry out, grunt, grimace, laugh, or appear fearful during an attack.

4. Partial (focal) motor seizure

a. Rhythmic twitching of muscle group, usually hand or face.

b. May spread to involve entire limb, other extremities and face on that side,
known as jacksonian seizure.

5. Partial (focal) somatosensory seizure

a. Numbness and tingling in a part of the body.

b. May also be visual, taste, auditory, or olfactory sensation.

6. Partial psychomotor (temporal lobe) seizure

a. May be aura of abdominal discomfort or bad odor or taste.

b. Auditory or visual hallucinations, déjà vu feeling, or sense of fear or anxiety.

c. Repetitive purposeless movements (automatisms) may occur, such as

picking at clothes, smacking lips, chewing, and grimacing.

d. Lasts seconds to minutes.

7. Complex partial seizures – begin as partial seizures and progress to

impairment of consciousness or impaired consciousness at onset.

8. Febrile seizure

a. Generalized tonic-clonic seizure with fever over 101.8 degrees Fahrenheit.

b. Occurs in children younger than age 5.

c. Treatment is to decrease temperature, treat source of fever, and control

seizure.

d. Long-term treatment to prevent recurrent seizures with fever is

controversial.

Diagnostic Evaluation:

1. EEG, with or without video monitoring, locates epileptic focus, spread,

intensity, and duration, helps classify seizure type.
2. CT scanning or MRI identifies lesion that may cause of seizure.
3. Single photon emission CT scanning (SPECT) or positron emission
tomography (PET) identifies seizure foci.
4. Neuropsychological studies evaluate for behavioral disturbances.
5. Serum electrolytes, glucose, and toxicity screen determine the cause of
first seizure.
6. Lumbar puncture and blood cultures may be necessary if fever is
present.

Pharmacologic Interventions:

1. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may be used singly or in combination to

increase effectiveness, treat mixed seizure types, and reduce adverse
effects.
2. A wide variety of adverse reactions may occur, including hepatic and
renal dysfunction, vision disturbances, drowsiness, ataxia, anemia,
leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, psychotic symptoms, skin rash,
stomach upset, and idiosyncratic reactions.

Surgical Interventions:
 1. Surgical treatment of brain tumor or hematoma may relieve seizures
caused by these.
2. Temporal lobectomy, extratemporal resection, corpus callosotomy, or
hemispherectomy may be necessary in medically intractable seizure
disorders.

Nursing Interventions:

1. Monitor the entire seizure event, including prodromal signs, seizure

behavior, and postictal state.
2. Monitor complete blood count, urinalysis, and liver function studies for
toxicity caused by medications.
3. Provide safe environment by padding side rails and removing clutter.
4. Place the bed in low position.
5. Do not restrain the patient during seizure.
6. Do not put anything in the patient’s mouth during seizure.
7. Maintain a patent airway until the patient is fully awake after a seizure.
8. Provide oxygen during the seizure if the patient become cyanotic.
9. Place the patient on side during a seizure to prevent aspiration.
10. Protect the patient’s head during the seizure.
11. Teach stress reduction techniques that will fit into the patient’s lifestyle.
12. Tell the patient to avoid alcohol because it interferes with metabolism
of AEDs and adds to sedation.
13. Encourage the patient to determine existence of triggering factors for
seizures, such as skipped meals, lack of sleep, and emotional stress.
14. Remind the family the importance of following medication regimen and
maintaining regular laboratory testing, medical check ups, and visual
examinations.
15. Encourage patient to follow a moderate lifestyle routine, including
exercise, mental activity, and nutritious diet.