Seizure Emergency Care Plan (Page 3 of 4) in pdf

District Health Coordinator: Ashley Speaker R.N., B.S.N.

Office # 475-7803 EXT 105

Doctor:

Office #

Preferred Hospital:

Medications:

Bus: () Yes () No

Epilepsy or Seizure Disorder refers to a transitory disturbance in consciousness or in motor function due

to uncontrolled electrical discharges in the brain. The brain is a complex, sensitive organ that controls and

regulates all our motor movements, sensations, thoughts, and emotions. Brain cells work together,

communicating by means of electric signals. Occasionally a group of cells discharge abnormal signals

and the result is a seizure.

The type of seizure depends on the part of the brain where the abnormal electrical discharge originates. A

seizure is a symptom of the disorder just as fever is a symptom of infection. Seizure disorders are not

contagious or a sign of mental illness. Only in rare cases do seizures require emergency intervention.

Most seizures are over in a few minutes and do not need medical follow up. Common types of seizures

include:

An absence seizure is brief and last only a few seconds. These events are often called petit mall

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seizures. This is the most common type of seizure disorder in children and can occur frequently

through out the day. If frequent, it can severely affect a student's learning. Seizure activity often

mistaken for daydreaming may include staring spells, eye blinking, and mild facial twitching.

Generalized seizures are also known as grand mal seizures. This disorder is characterized by

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loss of consciousness followed by stiffening for few seconds (tonic phase) then followed by

period of jerking (clonic phase). As a rule, these seizures last from less than a minute to three

minutes. After the seizure, a period of deep sleep occurs (postictal stage) lasting from minutes to

hours.

Simple partial seizure is when only one part of the brain is involved. In this type of seizure, the

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student is aware of the seizure because consciousness is not impaired. Some symptoms include

hand or mouth movement, head or eyes turned to the side, a pins and needles sensation, feeling of

numbness, or hearing noises.

Complex partial seizure in when only one part of the brain is involved. The student generally

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will have impaired consciousness. Symptoms are unique from individual to individual.

Atonic seizures, which are also know as "drop attacks." These seizures consist of sudden loss

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of postural tone and consciousness. They may be very brief, in which case a sudden drop of the

head or sudden fall may be the only manifestation. More prolonged attacks may begin with a fall

but the student then remains limp and unresponsive for seconds or minutes. The more prolonged

atonic seizures are usually followed by postictal drowsiness, which helps to distinguish them

from these other conditions.

The majority of epileptic seizures are controlled by medication, particularly anticonvulsant drugs. The

type of treatment prescribed will depend on several factors, including the frequency and severity of the

seizures and the person's age, overall health, and medical history.

Please List Other Considerations:

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Seizure Emergency Care Plan Page 3

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