Epilepsy

1.

Which of the following seizures descriptions would qualify as epilepsy?
- A.
  
  A seizure that occurred once after a traumatic brain injury
- B.
  
  A seizure that occurred once following a high fever
- C.
  
  Repeated seizures that occur without an immediate cause
- D.
  
  All of the above
Correct Answer
C. Repeated seizures that occur without an immediate cause

Explanation
Seizures can occur after injury or during periods of illness, however we wouldn't call this epilepsy. Epilepsy involves repeated, spontaneous seizures (no immediate cause). While someone who has seizures due to traumatic brain injury may not be considered epileptic, if that individual continues to have seizures spontaneously afterwards we could call it epilepsy.

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2.

What type of "brain activity" causes seizures?
- A.
  
  Abnormally low activity
- B.
  
  Abnormally high activity
- C.
  
  Complete lack of activity
- D.
  
  Any of the above can cause a seizure
Correct Answer
B. Abnormally high activity

Explanation
Seizures are caused by an over excitement of the brain's electrical activity. This can be localized to a specific area of the brain, as in a partial seizure, or spread throughout the whole brain, as in a generalized seizure.

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3.

Seizures always involve some type of convulsive involuntary motor symptoms, best exemplified in the grand-mal seizure.
- A.
  
  True
- B.
  
  False
Correct Answer
B. False

Explanation
Many seizures can occur without a motor component. Partial seizures that do not affect the motor cortex may present only as sensory disturbances. Some seizures involve motor symptoms that are not necessarily convulsive. Other types may be characterized by a lack of motion or muscle tone (such as the atonic "drop" seizures).

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4.

In order for a partial seizure to be considered a simple partial, which of the following must be retained? (Select all that apply)
- A.
  
  Awareness
- B.
  
  Memory
- C.
  
  Bladder control
- D.
  
  Consciousness
- E.
  
  Unobstructed senses (vision, hearing, tactile, etc)
Correct Answer(s)
A. Awareness
B. Memory
D. Consciousness

Explanation
During a simple partial seizure becomes a complex partial when memory, awareness, and/or consciousness are lost. All of these can be retained while the patient has disturbances in their senses and be considered a simple partial seizure. While bladder control is not typically lost in simple partial seizures, this is not necessarily a criteria that would disqualify it as a simple partial.

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5.

During a complex partial seizure, the patient may experience ________________ such as lip smacking, swallowing, chewing, etc.

Correct Answer(s)
automatisms
automatism

Epilepsy

Which of the following seizures descriptions would qualify as epilepsy?

What type of "brain activity" causes seizures?

Seizures always involve some type of convulsive involuntary motor symptoms, best exemplified in the grand-mal seizure.

In order for a partial seizure to be considered a simple partial, which of the following must be retained? (Select all that apply)

During a complex partial seizure, the patient may experience ________________ such as lip smacking, swallowing, chewing, etc.