When assessing an older adult for seizures, the nurse should be alert for:
A) a blank stare and brief unresponsiveness.
B) muscular rigidity and loss of consciousness.
C) muscular contraction and relaxation.
D) extremities rigid and extended.
A) a blank stare and brief unresponsiveness.
Explanation: A) The manifestations of seizures in older adults are often different from those in children and younger adults. Older adults more frequently have simple or complex partial seizures rather than the classic tonic-clonic seizures. Older adults often present with a blank stare, brief unresponsiveness, language difficulties, confusion, and automatisms such as lip smacking. The postictal phase is also longer in older adults, sometimes lasting up to 2 weeks, with symptoms such as sleepiness and confusion.
B) Tonic-clonic seizures are the most common seizure type in children, characterized by alternating repetitive tonic-clonic activity. The initial tonic phase is characterized by muscular rigidity and a sudden loss of consciousness. The individual will fall and may display a pattern in which the head and feet bend backwards with the body arched forward. Muscles are rigid, with the arms and legs extended and the jaw clenched. Pupils are fixed and dilated.
C) Tonic-clonic seizures are the most common seizure type in children, characterized by alternating repetitive tonic-clonic activity. During the clonic phase, the patient experiences alternating periods of muscular contraction and relaxation in all extremities.
D) Tonic-clonic seizures are the most common seizure type in children, characterized by alternating repetitive tonic-clonic activity. The initial tonic phase is characterized by muscular rigidity and a sudden loss of consciousness. The individual will fall and may display a pattern in which the head and feet bend backwards with the body arched forward. Muscles are rigid, with the arms and legs extended and the jaw clenched. Pupils are fixed and dilated.
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