Janell Eastman, RN BSN M.Ed Granite School District Nurse

1. GRANITE DISTRICT NURSING SERVICES SEIZURES Janell Eastman, RN BSN M.Ed Granite School District Nurse

2. SEIZURES • Brief episodes of disorderly electrical activity in the brain which affects its normal functions and produces changes in a person’s movements, behavior, or consciousness.

3. DID YOU KNOW? • 2,000,000 people in the U.S. have some form of Epilepsy. • 300,000 of those are under age 18. • 100,000 new cases are reported each year. • In 70% of cases, the cause is unknown.

4. Generalized tonic-clonic (grand mal) Myoclonic Atonic Absence Infantile spasms Simple partial Complex partial TYPES OF SEIZURES

5. ABSENCE SEIZURES • Very brief, last only a few seconds, and look like a blank stare, or daydreaming. The person is completely unaware of his surroundings. They begin and end suddenly. (Click below to view an absence seizure.)

6. TONIC-CLONIC SEIZURES • Person blanks out, falls, stiffens, then jerks uncontrollably for a minute or two. (To view an actual tonic-clonic seizure, click below.)

7. FIRST AID FOR SEIZURES • Call 911 if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or if the student stops breathing • Cushion the head • Loosen tight neckwear • Turn student on their side if possible; do not force.

8. HOW TO HELP • Move large objects away from student • Place nothing in the mouth • Look forID • Don’t hold student down • As seizure ends, offer help and assurance • Notify parents

10. In The Classroom • Be familiar with the needs of your students with chronic illnesses. • Review their health care plans to be prepared to assist in an emergency. • Document seizure activity (duration, characteristics) in the student’s log attached to the health care plan. • Be sure substitutes are aware of student’s health concerns

11. Additional Resources • www.efa.org • www.keepkidshealthy.com

12. Questions Call your School Nurse Granite District Nursing Services 685-4246

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