Seizures - Pediatric Nursing - Nervous System Disorders | @LevelUpRN

Level Up RN
6 Jan 202208:07
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this informative video by Cathy from Level Up RN, the topic of seizures is explored, with a focus on febrile seizures, which are the most common type in children. The video explains that seizures result from uncontrolled electrical discharges in the brain and can be caused by various factors, including fever, infections, head trauma, and electrolyte imbalances. Different types of seizures, such as tonic-clonic, absence, myoclonic, atonic, and status epilepticus, are described, highlighting their characteristics and phases. The importance of diagnosis through EEG and treatment with antiepileptic drugs is emphasized. Additionally, Cathy discusses nursing care during a seizure, including safety measures and post-seizure care. The video concludes with a quiz to test viewers' knowledge on the subject, encouraging engagement and retention of the material.

Takeaways
  • 🧠 Seizures are uncontrolled electrical discharges of neurons in the brain, which can result from various causes such as disease, injury, or unknown origins.
  • 💊 If a patient experiences two or more unprovoked seizures, they may be diagnosed with epilepsy.
  • 🔥 Risk factors for seizures include fever (leading to febrile seizures in children), cerebral edema, infections like meningitis, toxin exposure, head trauma, hypoxia, electrolyte imbalances, brain tumors, and hypoglycemia.
  • 📈 There are different types of seizures, including tonic-clonic, absence, myoclonic, atonic, and status epilepticus, each with distinct characteristics and symptoms.
  • 🏥 Diagnosis of seizures is often done using an EEG (electroencephalogram) to monitor brain activity.
  • 💊 Treatment for seizures may involve antiepileptic drugs such as valproic acid, carbamazepine, and phenytoin.
  • 🛠️ In some cases, procedures like the implantation of a vagal nerve stimulator or a craniotomy to remove the seizure-causing brain tissue may be performed.
  • 👩‍⚕️ During a seizure, it's crucial for nursing staff to ensure the patient's safety by lowering them to the floor, turning them on their side, loosening clothing, and not placing anything in their mouth or restraining them.
  • ⌛️ After a seizure, it's important to check the patient's vital signs and neurological status, reorient them, and implement seizure precautions if necessary.
  • 👶 Febrile seizures are the most common type of seizure in children, caused by a sudden increase in body temperature over 38 degrees Celsius.
  • 🚑 Prolonged seizures that last more than five minutes or where consciousness isn't regained between seizures are considered status epilepticus and are a medical emergency.
  • 📚 Education is key; families should be informed that if a child's seizure lasts more than five minutes, it's essential to call emergency services.
Q & A
  • What is the definition of a seizure?

    -A seizure is the uncontrolled electrical discharge of neurons in the brain.

  • What condition is diagnosed if a patient has two or more unprovoked seizures?

    -If a patient has two or more unprovoked seizures, they would be diagnosed with epilepsy.

  • What are some common risk factors associated with seizures?

    -Risk factors for seizures include fever, cerebral edema, infections like meningitis, toxin exposure, head trauma, hypoxia, electrolyte imbalances, brain tumor, and hypoglycemia.

  • How many phases are there in a tonic-clonic seizure?

    -There are three phases in a tonic-clonic seizure: the tonic episode, the clonic episode, and the postictal phase.

  • What is an absence seizure characterized by?

    -An absence seizure is characterized by a loss of consciousness for a few seconds, blank staring, lip smacking, picking at clothes, and eye fluttering.

  • What is the medical term for a prolonged seizure lasting more than five minutes or failure to regain consciousness between seizures?

    -A prolonged seizure lasting more than five minutes or failure to regain consciousness between seizures is called status epilepticus.

  • How can seizures be diagnosed?

    -Diagnosis of seizures can be done with the help of an EEG (electroencephalogram).

  • What are some common antiepileptic medications used to treat seizures?

    -Common antiepileptic medications include valproic acid, carbamazepine, and phenytoin.

  • What is a vagal nerve stimulator and how does it work?

    -A vagal nerve stimulator is a device surgically implanted under the skin on the left side of the chest. It sends electrical pulses about every 5 seconds to the vagus nerve, which alters levels of neurotransmitters in the brain.

  • What should you do if a patient is standing or sitting during a seizure?

    -If a patient is standing or sitting during a seizure, you should lower them to the floor or bed, turn them to their side, and loosen any restrictive clothing.

  • What is the most common form of seizures in children?

    -The most common form of seizures in children is febrile seizures, which are caused by a sudden spike in body temperature over 38 degrees Celsius without an underlying seizure provoking disorder or cause.

  • What should be done if a child's seizure lasts more than five minutes?

    -If a child's seizure lasts more than five minutes, indicating status epilepticus, the family should call 911 for emergency medical assistance.

Outlines
00:00
🧠 Understanding Seizures and Their Types

Cathy from Level Up RN introduces the topic of seizures, including febrile seizures, and emphasizes the importance of bold red text in their flashcards for key facts. She promises a quiz to test viewers' knowledge. Seizures are defined as uncontrolled electrical discharges of neurons in the brain and are diagnosed as epilepsy if a patient has two or more unprovoked seizures. Causes can range from diseases to injuries, leading to hyperexcitability of neurons. Risk factors are discussed, with a focus on febrile seizures in children due to fever. Different seizure types are outlined, such as tonic-clonic, absence, myoclonic, atonic, and status epilepticus. Diagnosis is typically done with an EEG, and treatment may involve antiepileptic drugs or procedures like vagal nerve stimulator implantation or craniotomy. Nursing care during a seizure is crucial, with guidelines provided for ensuring patient safety and comfort.

05:01
🤒 Febrile Seizures: The Most Common in Children

The second paragraph delves into febrile seizures, which are the most common type of seizure disorder in children and are caused by a sudden increase in body temperature above 38 degrees Celsius without an underlying cause. Risk factors, signs, and symptoms are discussed, with a focus on children aged six months to five years. The diagnosis process aims to rule out other causes like meningitis. Treatment is generally not required unless the seizure is prolonged, in which case antiepileptics and benzodiazepines may be used. Cathy advises families to call emergency services if a child's seizure lasts more than five minutes, indicating status epilepticus. The video concludes with a quiz called 'Name That Seizure,' where viewers are tested on their knowledge of different seizure types based on symptoms or facts provided. Cathy encourages viewers to engage with the content by liking, commenting, and subscribing for more nursing education content.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Seizures
Seizures are described as the uncontrolled electrical discharge of neurons in the brain. They are a central theme of the video, as the content revolves around understanding different types of seizures, their causes, and their management. In the context of the video, seizures can result from various factors such as disease, injury, or unknown causes, and are characterized by hyperexcitability of neurons.
💡Febrile Seizures
Febrile seizures are a specific type of seizure that is caused by a sudden increase in body temperature over 38 degrees Celsius without an underlying cause related to seizures. They are emphasized in the video as the most common form of seizures in children, particularly between the ages of six months and five years, and are diagnosed by ruling out other causes.
💡Epilepsy
Epilepsy is defined in the video as a condition where a patient has two or more unprovoked seizures. It is a significant keyword as it represents a diagnosis that encompasses recurrent seizures, which is a key topic in the discussion of seizure management and treatment.
💡Tonic Clonic Seizure
A tonic clonic seizure is a type of seizure with three distinct phases: tonic (muscle stiffening and loss of consciousness), clonic (rhythmic jerking of extremities), and postictal (confusion, sleepiness, agitation). It is a critical concept in the video as it illustrates the progression and symptoms of a common seizure type.
💡Absence Seizure
An absence seizure is characterized by a brief loss of consciousness that resembles daydreaming, with symptoms such as blank staring, lip smacking, and eye fluttering. The video uses a personal anecdote to highlight how absence seizures can be mistaken for inattention, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and diagnosing this type of seizure.
💡Myoclonic Seizure
A myoclonic seizure is identified by brief muscle stiffening of the extremities. The keyword is important as it represents another type of seizure that can affect patients, and the video aims to make viewers familiar with its characteristics.
💡Atonic Seizure
An atonic seizure is characterized by a sudden loss of muscle tone, which often results in falling. The term 'atonic' means a lack of muscle tone, and the video stresses the importance of being familiar with this type of seizure due to its potential to cause injury from falls.
💡Status Epilepticus
Status epilepticus is a medical emergency defined as a prolonged seizure lasting more than five minutes or a series of seizures without regaining consciousness between them. It is a critical keyword as it highlights a situation that requires immediate medical attention, which is a key message in the video.
💡EEG (Electroencephalogram)
An EEG is a diagnostic tool used to record the electrical activity of the brain, which can help in diagnosing seizures. The video mentions its use in diagnosing the condition, making it a key concept for understanding how seizures can be identified and differentiated from other conditions.
💡Antiepileptic Medications
Antiepileptic or anticonvulsive agents, such as valproic acid, carbamazepine, and phenytoin, are medications used to treat seizures. The video discusses these drugs as part of the treatment plan for seizure disorders, emphasizing their role in seizure management.
💡Vagal Nerve Stimulator
A vagal nerve stimulator is a surgically implanted device that sends electrical pulses to the vagus nerve, altering neurotransmitter levels in the brain to help control seizures. The video describes this as a procedure that can be used in the treatment of epilepsy, illustrating an advanced method of seizure control.
💡Craniotomy
Craniotomy is a surgical procedure mentioned in the video where a part of the brain tissue responsible for seizures is removed. It is a significant keyword as it represents a more invasive treatment option for managing seizures that do not respond to medication or other procedures.
Highlights

Seizures are the uncontrolled electrical discharge of neurons in the brain.

A diagnosis of epilepsy is given if a patient has two or more unprovoked seizures.

Risk factors for seizures include fever, cerebral edema, infections, toxin exposure, head trauma, hypoxia, electrolyte imbalances, brain tumor, and hypoglycemia.

Tonic clonic seizures consist of three phases: tonic episode, clonic episode, and postictal phase.

Absence seizures are characterized by brief loss of consciousness, resembling daydreaming, and may include blank staring and lip smacking.

Myoclonic seizures involve brief stiffening of the extremities.

Atonic seizures result in the loss of muscle tone, often causing the individual to fall.

Status epilepticus is a medical emergency characterized by a prolonged seizure lasting more than five minutes or a failure to regain consciousness between seizures.

Diagnosis of seizures can be aided by an EEG (electroencephalogram).

Treatment for seizures often involves antiepileptic or anticonvulsive agents, such as valproic acid, carbamazepine, and phenytoin.

Vagal nerve stimulator implantation and craniotomy are surgical procedures that can be used to treat seizures.

During a seizure, it is crucial not to place anything in the patient's mouth or restrain them, and to note the onset and duration of the seizure.

Febrile seizures are the most common form of seizures in children and are caused by a sudden increase in body temperature over 38 degrees Celsius.

Febrile seizures typically do not require treatment, but prolonged seizures may be treated with antiepileptics and benzodiazepines.

Education on what to do during a seizure, such as calling 911 if the seizure lasts more than five minutes, is important for families.

A quiz is provided at the end of the video to test knowledge on different types of seizures.

The video offers a comprehensive overview of seizures, their types, diagnosis, treatment, and nursing care.

Transcripts
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