Question 1

A patient with a seizure disorder has seizures which begin with a gastric sensation and a feeling of d&#233;j&#224; vu. Which site in the brain is the seizure focus?&#10;A) Frontal&#10;B) Occipital&#10;C) Parietal&#10;D) Temporal

Accepted Answer

The presence of a gastric sensation and déjà vu points to a temporal lobe origin for the seizures.

Question 2

Which drug is used to treat patients with focal epilepsy and complex partial seizures?&#10;A) Carbamazepine&#10;B) Ethosuximide&#10;C) Lamotrigine&#10;D) Topiramate

Accepted Answer

A

Question 3

A patient who has a seizure disorder and takes levetiracetam is brought to an emergency department as two consecutive 15-minute seizures occur. What is the priority action for this patient?&#10;A) Administer a dose of levetiracetam now and repeat in 10 minutes.&#10;B) Administer lorazepam and monitor cardiorespiratory status.&#10;C) Administer phenytoin and phenobarbital along with oxygen.&#10;D) Admit the patient to the hospital for a diagnostic work up.

Accepted Answer

The priority action for a patient experiencing consecutive seizures is to administer a benzodiazepine, such as lorazepam, to stop the seizures and prevent status epilepticus. Monitoring of the patient's cardiorespiratory status is also necessary. Administering another dose of levetiracetam or adding multiple anti-seizure medications are not recommended as first-line treatment for status epilepticus. Admitting the patient to the hospital for a diagnostic workup may be necessary, but it is not the priority action in this acute situation. Oxygen may be given as needed, but it is not usually indicated in this scenario.

Deck 182: Seizure Disorder