Biology Forums - Study Force

A 5-month-old infant has been brought to the Emergency Department, and the parent states the child had a high fever and rapid jerking motions that lasted for a minute.
 
  Based on these symptoms, the nurse anticipates this client will be diagnosed with which type of seizure?
 
  1. Febrile seizures
  2. Generalized seizures
  3. Myoclonic seizures
  4. Atonic seizures

Correct Answer: 1

Rationale 1: Febrile seizures typically cause tonic-clonic motor activity lasting for 12 minutes with rapid return of consciousness. These occur together with a rapid rise in body temperature, and usually occur only once during any given illness. Febrile seizures are most likely to occur within the 3-monthto5-year-old age group.
Rationale 2: A generalized seizure is not localized to one area, but travels throughout the entire brain on both sides. The seizure is thought to originate bilaterally and symmetrically within the brain.
Rationale 3: Myoclonic seizures are characterized by large, jerking body movements. Major muscle groups contract quickly, and patients appear unsteady and clumsy. They might fall from a sitting position or drop whatever they are holding.
Rationale 4: With an atonic seizure, the client stumbles and falls for no apparent reason.

Global Rationale: Febrile seizures typically cause tonic-clonic motor activity lasting for 12 minutes with rapid return of consciousness. These occur together with a rapid rise in body temperature, and usually occur only once during any given illness. Febrile seizures are most likely to occur within the 3-monthto5-year-old age group. A generalized seizure is not localized to one area, but travels throughout the entire brain on both sides. The seizure is thought to originate bilaterally and symmetrically within the brain. Myoclonic seizures are characterized by large, jerking body movements. Major muscle groups contract quickly, and patients appear unsteady and clumsy. They might fall from a sitting position or drop whatever they are holding. With an atonic seizure, the client stumbles and falls for no apparent reason.