Usually only involve one hemisphere of the brain-2. no loss of consciousness-seizures
the clinical manifestations of an abnormal, uncontrolled electrical discharge from a group of neurons in the cerebral cortex
s/s of seizures vary depending on the site of neuronal involvement in the brain
s/s range from sensory, motor, autonomic, and psychic phenomena
convulsions refer to the specific type of motor seizure that includes the whole body
partial seizures
simple partial
usually only involve one hemisphere of the brain
no loss of consciousness
complex partial
impairment of consciousness
usually arise in the temporal lobe
may have automatisms such as lip smacking, patting, or rubbing clothing
generalized seizures
absence seizures (petit mal) only occur in children
s/s include a brief period of unresponsiveness, blank stare, motionlessness
tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal)
most common, major, motor seizure
may have aura with sharp contraction of the muscles
loss of consciousness and loss of bowel/bladder function
