A female patient with a history of seizures has suffered a seizure in a public area and is now refusing further assessment and transport. As you leave, a witness to the entire event tells you that he thinks the patient is "crazy in the head" because right before she seized, she looked up toward the ceiling and kept repeating, "Do you see the birds?" As a knowledgeable EMT, you should recognize that the bystander is describing what condition?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The bystander is describing an aura, which is a subjective sensation or unusual behavior that can occur prior to a seizure. Auras can manifest in a variety of ways, such as visual disturbances, strange feelings, or repetitive behaviors. The patient's behavior and comments suggest that she may have had a visual aura in the form of seeing birds before her seizure.

A Female Patient with a History of Seizures Has Suffered