NUR 631 Exam 2 Neuro Revision Test
Questions Answered Correctly.
Seizure - Answer Is a sudden involuntary, time limited alteration in behavior, including a change in
motor activity, autonomic function, consciousness, or sensation, accompanied by an abnormal electrical
discharge in the brain.
Partial - Answer patients resemble someone who is intoxicated or under the influence of some drug
Simple partial - Answer cerebral lesion, cause NO alteration in memory, no longer than 1 minute, NO
LOC. Twitching, abnormal sensation, vision, smell, paresthesia, they have flashing lights, hear
things/hallucinations, starts in one muscle group extends into one side of the body. Younger individuals
(3-15 years of age)
Complex partial - Answer simple + impaired level of consciousness, can progress to LOC, aura they feel
then they can have a staring appearance, lip smacking, picking at clothes. Can occur at any age.
Generalized - Answer have a warning sign (i.e., cry, scream, fall)
Absence - Answer sudden arrest of motor activity followed by eye lid fluttering or head nodding.
Impaired LOC (not loss, in awake state). Typically, between 3-15 years of age.
Myoclonic - Answer momentarily/impaired LOC, awake state. Motor root involvement lasting a minute,
brief jerking contractions of limb or trunk, hard to control, progress to tonic clonic. 2-7 years of age
Tonic-clonic (generalized): - Answer aura, repetitive muscle movements (rigid jerky movements),
LOC**, bowel & bladder incontinence, post-ictal confusion. Onset varies (typically adult onset), etiology:
brain tumor, post head trauma or injury, or alcohol withdrawal
Tonic - Answer LOC**, bowel & bladder incontinence, post-ictal confusion. Onset varies (typically adult
onset), etiology: brain tumor, post head trauma or injury, or alcohol withdrawal
, Atonic - Answer sudden loss of muscle tone (head drop, drop of limb, drop to the floor), impaired form
of consciousness lasts 1-2 seconds.
What is the Difference between convulsion & epilepsy? - Answer Epilepsy is a chronic neurologic
condition. Convulsions can be a reaction to a single medical event or a part of a medical condition.
Status Epilepticus - Answer Series of grand-mal seizures that lasts >10 minutes. Awake or asleep, do
not regain consciousness during the attack in any form. MOST SEVERE/ LIFE THREATENING BECAUSE
LEADS TO RESPIRATORY FAILURE OR DEATH. MEDICAL EMERGENCY!!
Etiology for Seizures - Answer - A-alcohol (main cause)
- E- electrolytes, encephalopathy, endocrine
- I- infection
- O- overdose, oxygen deficiency
- U- Uremia
- T- Trauma or tumor
- I- insulin
- P-psychogenic, poisons
- S-stroke, shock
The most definitive way to diagnose a seizure is through an - Answer EEG
PNES (psychogenic non-epileptic seizures) / AKA psuedoseizures - Answer Characterized by sudden and
time limited disturbances of motor sensory autonomic cognitive and emotional state that can mimic an
epileptic seizure. In contrast, not associated with excessive neuronal activity it's related to psychological
occurrence or disturbance.
What is the main goal in the management of seizures? - Answer Main goal is to prevent recurrence of
seizure and decrease side effects from drugs
When should a pt. be referred to a neurologist ? - Answer for therapy initiation