S TATU S EP ILE P TIC U S

SEIZURESeizures

sudden, excessive, disorderly electrical discharges of the neurons.

EFFECTS OF SEIZURE: alteration in the following mental status LOC sensory and speciual senses motor funtion

TYPES OF SEIZURE

G R AN D MALmost common type of seizure

The phases are as follows:

PETIT MAL (Absence Seizure or Little Sickness)

o not preceeded by AURAo little or no toni-clonico charac blank facial expression, automatism like lip-chewing,

cheek smackingo regain of consciousness as rapid as it was lot for 10-20secso usually occurs during childhood and adolescenceJACKSONIAN / FOCAL SEIZUREo common for patients with organic brain lesion like frontal lobe tumoro aura is present(numbness, tingling, crawling feeling)o charac by tonic-clonic movements of group muscle e.g. Hands, foot, or face then it proceeds toi grand mal seizureFEBRILE SEIZUREo this is common for children <5yo, when temp. is rising

PSYCHOMOTOR SEIZUREo aura is present (hallucinations or illusion)o charac by mental clouding (being out of touch with the envt)o appears intoxicatedo the client may commit violent or antisocial acts, e.g. Going

naked public, running

S TATU SEP ILE P TIC U S

STATUS EPILEPTICUS

(ACUTE PROLONGED SEIZURE ACTIVITY) IS A SERIES OF GENERALIZED SEIZURE THAT OCCUR WITHOUT FULL RECOVERY OF CONSCIOUSNESS BETWEEN ATTACKS

THE TERM HAS BEEN BROADENED TO INCLUDE CONTINUOUS CLINICAL OR ELECTRICAL SEIZURES LASTING AT LEAST 30 MINUTES, EVEN WITHOUT IMPAIRMENT OF CONSCIOUSNESS.

A seizure is a sudden disruption of the brain's normal electrical activity, which can cause a loss of consciousness and make the body twitch and jerk. This condition is a medical emergency.

CAUSES

not taking anticonvulsant medication

also caused by an underlying condition, such as meningitis, sepsis, encephalitis, brain tumor, head trauma, extremely high fever, low glucose levels, or exposure to toxins.

SymptomSThe characteristic symptom of status

epilepticus is seizures occurring so frequently that they appear to be one continuous seizure. These seizures include severe muscle contractions and difficulty breathing. Permanent damage can occur to the brain and heart if treatment is not immediate. A person's symptoms can range from simply appearing dazed to the more serious muscle contractions, spasms, and loss of consciousness. The specific symptoms depend on the underlying type of seizure.

TWO CATEGORIES OF STATUS EPILEPTICUS

CONVULSIVEEpilepsia partialis continua is a variant it involve an hour, day or even week-long jerking. It is a consequence of vascular disease, tumor or encepalitis and drug resistant.

NONCONVULSIVEComplex Partial Status Epilepticus CPSE and absence status epilepticus are rare forms of the condition which are marked by nonconvulsive seizures. In the case of CPSE, the seizure is confined to a small area of the brain, normally the temporal lobe. But the latter, absence status epilepticus, is marked by a generalised seizure affecting the whole brain, and an EEG is needed to differentiate between the two conditions. This results in episodes characterized by a long-lasting stupor, staring and unresponsiveness.

HOW IT IS DIAGNOSED?Status epilepticus is diagnosed according to its

characteristics symptoms. The doctor will order test to look for the cause of the seizures. This may include

blood test

ECG to check for an abnormal heart rhythm

EEG to check electrical activity in the brain

MRI or CT scan to check for braing tumord or signs of damage to the brain tissue.

Nursing DiagnosisHigh Risk for Injury r/t Seizure Activity

Individual Coping r/t perceive social stigma, potential changes in employment

MEDICATIONS diazepam (Valium)

this will stop motor movement

Phenytoin (Dilatin)

Phenobarbital (Barbita)

Paraldehyde

Thiopentahl sodium (Pentotal sodium)

General anesthesia may also be used as a treatment of last resort to stop seizure activity

NURSING INTERVENTIONPREVENTING INJURY

IMPROVING COPING MECHANISMS

PROVIDING PATIENT AND FAMILY EDUCATION

MONITORING AND MANAGING POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS

TEACHING PATIENTS SELF-CARE

REDUCING FEARS OF SEIZURE

PREVENTING INJURY injury prevention for the patient with seizure is a PRIORITY.

patient should be placed on the floor and remove any obstructive items patient should never be forced into a position pad side rails

do not attempt to pry open jaws that are clenched in a spasm to insert anything.

if possible place the patient on one side with head flexed forward,

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PATIENT EDUCACTION

TAKE MEDICATION AT REGULAR BASIS AVOID ALCOHOL. Lowers seizure threshold ADEQUATE REST WELL-BALANCED DIET AVOID DRIVING, OPERATING MACHINES, SWIMMING UNTIL SEIZURES ARE WELL CONTROLLED. LIVE AN ACTIVE LIFE

REDUCING FEARS OF SEIZURE

Fear that a seizure may occur unexpectedly can be reduced by the patients adherence to the prescribed treatment regimen. Cooperation of the patient and family and their trust in the prescribed regimen are essential for control of seizures

Periodic monitoring is necessary to ensure the adequacy of the treatment regimen and to prevent the side effects.

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IMPROVING COPING MECHANISMS

it has been noted that the social, psychological, and behavioral problems frequently accompanying the attack can be more handicap than the actual seizure.

Counselling assists the individual and family to understand the condition and the limitations imposed by it. Social and recreational opportunities are good for mental health . Nurses can improve the quality of life for patients with the disorder by educating them and their family about the symptom and also the management.

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PROVIDING PATIENT AND FAMILY EDUCATION

Ongoing education and encouragement should be given to patients to enable them to overcome these feelings. The patient and family should be educated about the medications as well as care during a seizure.

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perhaps the most valuable facets are education and efforts to modify the attitudes of the patient and family toward the disorder.

MONITORING AND MANAGING POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS

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Patients should have plan to have serum drug levels drawn at regular intervals. The patient and family are instructed about the side effects and are given specific guidelines to assess and report signs and symptoms indicating medication overdose.

TEACHING PATIENTS SELF CARE

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Like thorough oral hygiene after each meal, gum massage, daily flossing, and regular dental care

The patient is also instructed to inform all health care providers of the medication being taken because of the possibility of drug interactions. An individualized comprehensive teaching plan is needed to assist the patient and family to adjust to this chronic disorder.

thank you and God Bless Us Always

Presented by: Dave Jay S. Manriquez RN.