The nurse is caring for a client with a history of tonic-clonic seizures. After a seizure lasting 25 seconds, the nurse notes that the client is confused for 20 minutes. The client does not know the current location, does not know the current season, and has a headache. The nurse documents the confusion and headache as which phase of the client's seizure activity?

Question

The nurse is caring for a client with a history of tonic-clonic seizures.  After a seizure lasting 25 seconds, the nurse notes that the client is confused for 20 minutes.  The client does not know the current location, does not know the current season, and has a headache.  The nurse documents the confusion and headache as which phase of the client's seizure activity?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A seizure is an uncontrolled electrical discharge of neurons in the brain that interrupts normal function. Seizure manifestations generally are classified into 4 phases: The prodromal phase is the period with warning signs that precede the seizure (before the aural phase). The aural phase is the period before the seizure when the client may experience visual or other sensory changes. Not all clients experience or can recognize a prodromal or aural phase before the seizure. The ictal phase is the period of active seizure activity. During the postictal phase, the client may experience confusion while recovering from the seizure. The client may also experience a headache. Postictal confusion can help identify clients by differentiating seizures from syncope. In syncope, there will be only a brief loss of consciousness without prolonged post-event confusion. Educational objective: Clients may experience confusion after a seizure during the postictal phase. The client should be observed for safety and abnormalities documented before and during this phase.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Client with a History