A teacher states to the school nurse, "I have a student who will often just stare at me for 15 seconds after asking a question; then the student blinks and asks me to repeat the question. Should I be concerned?" Which should the nurse include in the response to the teacher?
A) The child has a crush on the teacher.
B) The child has increased intracranial pressure.
C) The child may have had a head injury.
D) The child is experiencing absence seizures.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described suggest the possibility of absence seizures. During these seizures, a person may appear to stare blankly for a few seconds or more, and may not respond to their surroundings. The child's blinking after the brief period of staring may be a sign that the seizure is ending. It would be appropriate to refer the child to a healthcare provider for further evaluation and potential treatment. Options A and B are not likely explanations for the symptoms described, and while a head injury could potentially cause similar symptoms, absence seizures should be considered as a possibility.

A Teacher States to the School Nurse, "I Have a Student