The nurse is observing a patient who is having a seizure that involves a blank stare, unresponsiveness to questions, and smacking of the lips. The seizure lasts less than a minute. How should the nurse categorize this seizure?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's seizure involves a blank stare, unresponsiveness to questions, and smacking of the lips, all of which are characteristic of an absence seizure. The fact that it lasts less than a minute further supports this classification. Partial seizures typically involve a focal area of the brain and may have various symptoms depending on the location of the seizure. Tonic-clonic seizures involve a loss of consciousness, convulsions, and often a period of confusion or lethargy after the seizure. Status epilepticus is a medical emergency that involves either a prolonged seizure or multiple seizures without full recovery in between.

The Nurse Is Observing a Patient Who Is Having a Seizure