SEIZURE ACTIVITY AND ITS CAUSES

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Updated 4/25

Dear nurses,

New information about seizures and its causes, have been
added. See below.

What is a seizure?

A seizure is considered to be a sudden outburst of
uncontrollable electrical activity from the neurons
in the brain. Involuntary contraction of muscles
usually occur and last for a short period. Seizures
may vary in duration and frequency.

Patient safety during a seizure

When a seizure occurs, patient safety should

 be a major concern. A patient who has a 
history of seizures, should already be on
anticonvulsant medications.
A "seizure precations " sign is usually
posted over the bed.

Here are some helpful hints:

- Follow MD orders

- Protect the patient from harm

- Maintaining a patent airway; turn head to the side, if necessary,
  to prevent airway obstruction

- Keeping bed rails up , to prevent the patient falling out of bed

- Monitoring duration and character of seizure

- After seizure, assessment and documentation of, vital signs, O2 saturation,

- notifying MD of patient status

The patient with preeclampsia is at risk for seizures.
Learn more by clicking on the Link: Preeclampsia

Learn more by clicking on the link: Hormones