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Seizure Protocol. Ottawa Inner City Health March 2009. Seizure. A seizure is a sudden release of energy by the brain. It can cause a change in how a client acts. Who is at Risk for a Seizure. Alcohol and substance use and withdrawal Brain dysfunction Head trauma
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Seizure Protocol Ottawa Inner City Health March 2009
Seizure A seizure is a sudden release of energy by the brain. It can cause a change in how a client acts.
Alcohol and substance use and withdrawal • Brain dysfunction • Head trauma • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder • Brain abscess secondary to IV drug use or dental abscesses • Epilepsy • Medications • Pain medication • Antibiotics • Medication used to treat HIV and TB • Liver or kidney failure
Substance use Sometimes the substances themselves can cause seizures • Cocaine • Amphetamines • Heroin • Solvents
Classifications • Two main types • Partial • Generalized
Partial Seizure Seizure activity starts in one area of the brain. Signs: • person may appear confused, drugged, drunk, • may wander • lip smacking • purposeless activity or repetitive motions such as fidgeting with clothing
Generalized Seizure Two types of concern with this population • Tonic-clonic • Absence
Tonic-Clonic Seizure • affects entire body • body falls, stiffens, and jerks • loss of consciousness • may cry out, bite tongue, turn pale, or appear to stop breathing • loss of bladder and bowel control • fatigue and confusion afterwards
Absence Seizure • Loss of consciousness but no confusion afterward • staring • eye blinking • eye twitching • lip smacking • jerking of hands
Management of Seizure What should you do if your client has a seizure?
CCW Role • Documenting pre-seizure and post-seizure events. • Maintain seizure precaution • Prevent complications due to: • Injury • Vomiting
Documentation Important information • Time and duration of seizure • Type of seizure • Interventions you did for client • Behaviour before/after seizure including whether or not sleeps after seizure • Vital signs every 1-2 hours until fully awake
Is this a Seizure? Understanding the difference between seizures and non-seizure activity is important to care of client.
It is not a seizure if... • They can talk to you • They are asleep and you see their eyes moving under their eyelids • They have jittery movements that stop when you lay a hand on them • Even though they are staring at you...they startle with a loud noise.
What is not a Seizure Fainting Daydreaming
Panic Attacks • Rage attacks
Migraine • Movement Disorder