11.3.7: Seizures
A seizure is disorder in which there is increased electrical activity of the brain. There are a variety of causes of seizures, such as head injury, low blood sugar, a heat-related injury, medical conditions, or poisonings (American Heart Association, 2011). In some types of seizures, the person has uncontrollable muscle movements. Tonic– clonic seizures have two phases: tonic and clonic. In the tonic phase, the person’s muscles contract and spasm. In the clonic phase, the person has repeated muscle movements, and their arms, legs, and torso may jerk violently.
Signs of a seizure:
Signs of a seizure depend on the type of seizure disorder the patient has. Home Health Aides/Personal Care Aides may notice:
- Suddenly falling or dropping from a seated or standing position
- Loss of muscle control
- Repeated blinking of the eyes, smacking of the lips, or repeated swallowing
- The person is not able to follow commands
- Inability to swallow
- Drooling
- Repeated contractions and movements of the arms, legs, or torso
- Shaking or jerking of the body
- The person stops responding
What to do:
If a patient has a seizure, it is important to obtain medical help immediately. Remember to never put anything in the person’s mouth during a seizure and never try to hold them down. The Home Health Aide/Personal Care Aide’s job during a seizure is to contact emergency medical services and to try to protect the patient from injury.
- Never leave a person during a seizure.
- Immediately call 911.
- Note the time the seizure began. Provide this information to 911.
- Place the patient in a comfortable position. Keep their head face up so they can breathe.
- Loosen any tight clothing.
- If possible, place a pillow, blanket, or towel under the patient’s head to prevent injury.
- Clear the area of any possible hazard for which the patient could become injured.
- Never put anything, including fingers, in the patient‘s mouth during a seizure.
- If they begin to vomit, roll them onto their side. Make sure their mouth is not obstructed.
- Never try to hold a patient down while they are having a seizure.
- Keep the area clear of objects and people.
- Do not give the patient food or fluid.
- Note the time when the seizure is over. Check for adequate breathing and pulse.
- If the person stops breathing or no longer has a pulse, perform CPR if trained to do so . If not trained in CPR, perform hands-only CPR.
- Inform a supervisor as soon as possible about the incident.
- Document the seizure and all steps taken to provide care.
True or False
1. EMS should be activated if a person is having a seizure. True or False? ________
2. A person should never put any objects or fingers inside a person’s mouth while they are having a seizure. True or False? ________
3. Never restrain a person during a seizure. True or False? ________
4. It is important to time when the seizure starts and stops. True or False? ________
5. All furniture and other dangerous objects should be removed from the area while a person is having a seizure to prevent any injury. True or False? ________
- Answer
-
1. True
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. True
FEEDBACK:
1. Emergency medical services should be contacted as soon as a person has a seizure. The person needs medical attention.
2. Never put objects or fingers inside a person’s mouth during a seizure. They will likely bite down although they will not be able to help it.
3. A person having a seizure should never be restrained. Rapid and repeated muscle contractions and jerky movements are common during a seizure. Restraining a person while they are having a seizure can cause them serious injury.
4. The HHA/PCA should time when the seizure starts and stops and provide this information to emergency medical services and the healthcare team. This will help give important information about the severity of the seizure.
5. After contacting emergency services the most important thing the HHA/PCA can do for a person during a seizure is to protect them from injury. Removing furniture, dangerous objects, and people from the area will help prevent further injury to the person having the seizure.