Seizure

CONVULSIONS
(Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)

... Are the episodes of loss of consciousness really seizures? Real seizures, especially grand mal, present with incontinence and/or tongue ... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP ... READ EXCERPTS »

FACIAL PARALYSIS
(Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)

... Is it acute or gradual onset? If it is acute onset, Bell's palsy, diabetic neuropathy, and cerebral vascular accident must be considered. If it is gradual onset, one must consider an acoustic neuroma, ... DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP ... READ EXCERPTS »

Aura
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

... A subjective sensory phenomenon that may involve any of the five senses, such as visual auras (often described as flashing lights), sensory auras (paresthesias), or auditory auras. Other... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »

Chorea
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

... Chorea (Greek for “dance”) refers to continuous, rapid, and abrupt jerking movements, which are involuntary and often possess a writhing quality. These movements often interfere with the... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures/Convulsions
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

... Seizures are a symptom of some identifiable underlying cause or are idiopathic. Epilepsy is recurrent unprovoked seizures. Seizures may or may not be associated with... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »

Facial Paralysis & Bell's Palsy
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

... Differentiate supranuclear facial palsy from peripheral (nuclear) facial palsy. Supranuclear palsy involves predominantly the lower part of the face. Emotional responses may be intact (e.g., the... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »

Chorea
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

... Chorea consists of brief, irregular, nonrhythmic, unsustained involuntary movements that flow from one part of the body to another. Chorea is often accompanied by athetosis, which are slow,... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures – Childhood
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

... Febrile seizures occur in 3–4% of all children; they often do not require long-term treatment. Each year, between 25,000 and 40,000 children in the U.S. have a first unprovoked afebrile seizure. Most... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures – Neonatal
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

... Seizures in the newborn are often difficult to diagnose, because there may only be subtle manifestations. Any insult that affects the brain in this age group can present with... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »

Facial Paralysis
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

... Although Bell palsy is the most frequent etiology, it is a diagnosis of exclusion; one must thoroughly rule out infections, congenital, developmental, and other causes. Serial electrical testing provides objective monitoring of nerve... Differential Diagnosis ... Workup and Diagnosis ... Treatment ... READ EXCERPTS »

CHOREA
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

... The causes of this symptom lend themselves easily to recall. Simply remember the word VINDICATE. There are usually just one or two diseases for each letter. V—Vascular ... READ EXCERPTS »

FASCICULATIONS
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

... This sign is generally considered pathognomonic for anterior horn cell or root disease. It may occur, however, in certain cases of peripheral neuropathy, in electrolyte disturbances ... READ EXCERPTS »

MYOCLONUS
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

... The differential diagnosis of this sign is similar to the differential diagnosis of tremors (see page 521), but a few additional possibilities should be kept in mind. Idiopathic myoclonus epilepsy, petit mal ... READ EXCERPTS »

TREMOR AND OTHER INVOLUNTARY MOVEMENTS
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

... Anatomy can assist one greatly in formulating a differential diagnosis of tremor of hepatic coma, Wilson disease, and alcoholism. The thyroid brings to mind the tremor of Graves disease. The ... READ EXCERPTS »

CONVULSIONS
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

... To formulate a differential diagnosis of convulsions, one must use both physiology and anatomy. The anatomic causes are charted in Table 19 . ... READ EXCERPTS »

FACIAL PARALYSIS
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

... A facial palsy is usually considered to be Bell palsy and it frequently is. Nevertheless, the clinician who begins treatment without ruling out other possibilities will eventually get burned. ... READ EXCERPTS »

WEAKNESS OR PARALYSIS OF ONE OR MORE EXTREMITIES
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

... This symptom, as opposed to generalized weakness and fatigue (see page 541), is almost invariably due to a neurologic disorder. Consequently, a comprehensive list of causes is ... READ EXCERPTS »

Aura
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

... An aura is a sensory or motor phenomenon, idea, or emotion that marks the initial stage of a seizure or the approach of a classic migraine headache. Auras may be classified as cognitive, affective,... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Carpopedal spasm
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

... Carpopedal spasm is the violent, painful contraction of the muscles in the hands and feet. (See Recognizing carpopedal spasm, page 126.) It's an important sign of tetany, a potentially life... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Fasciculations
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

... Fasciculations are local muscle contractions representing the spontaneous discharge of a muscle fiber bundle innervated by a single motor nerve filament. These contractions cause visible dimpling or wavelike twitching of the skin, but they... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »

Level of consciousness, decreased
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

... A decrease in the level of consciousness (LOC), from lethargy to stupor to coma, usually results from a neurologic disorder and may signal a life-threatening complication, such as hemorrhage, trauma, or cerebral edema. However, this sign can... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Myoclonus
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

... Myoclonus — sudden, shocklike contractions of a single muscle or muscle group — occurs with various neurologic disorders and may herald the onset of a seizure. These contractions may be isolated or... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »

Paralysis
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

... Paralysis, the total loss of voluntary motor function, results from severe cortical or pyramidal tract damage. It can occur with a cerebrovascular disorder, degenerative neuromuscular disease, trauma, tumor, or central... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures, absence
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

... Absence seizures are benign, generalized seizures thought to originate subcortically. These brief episodes of unconsciousness usually last 3 to 20 seconds and can occur 100 or more times per day, causing periods of inattention. Absence... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures, complex partial
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

... A complex partial seizure occurs when a focal seizure begins in the temporal lobe and causes a partial alteration of consciousness — usually confusion. Psychomotor... History ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures, generalized tonic-clonic
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

... Like other types of seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures are caused by the paroxysmal, uncontrolled discharge of central nervous system neurons, leading to neurologic dysfunction. Unlike most other types of... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures, simple partial
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

... Resulting from an irritable focus in the cerebral cortex, simple partial seizures typically last about 30 seconds and don’t alter the patient’s level of consciousness (LOC). The type and pattern reflect the location of the... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures
(A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis)

... Central Nervous System and Vascular Causes Cerebrovascular disease    Thrombosis    Embolism ... READ EXCERPTS »

Paralysis and Paresis
(A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis)

... Acute (Developing in Hours) Spinal cord injury Spinal cord hemorrhage (secondary to vascular malformation, coagulopathy, anticoagulant therapy, trauma) ... READ EXCERPTS »

Vocal cord paralysis
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

... Vocal cord paralysis results from disease of or injury to the superior or, most commonly, the recurrent laryngeal nerve. It may also be congenital. Causes Vocal cord... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... READ EXCERPTS »

Aura
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

... An aura is a sensory or motor phenomenon, idea, or emotion that marks the initial stage of a seizure or the approach of a classic migraine headache. Auras may be classified as cognitive, affective, psychosensory, or psychomotor.... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Carpopedal spasm
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

... Carpopedal spasm is the violent, painful contraction of the muscles in the hands and feet. (See Recognizing carpopedal spasm.) It’s an important sign of tetany, a potentially life-threatening condition that... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Fasciculations
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

... Fasciculations are local muscle contractions representing the spontaneous discharge of a muscle fiber bundle innervated by a single motor nerve filament. These contractions cause visible dimpling or wavelike twitching of the skin, but they... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... READ EXCERPTS »

Level of consciousness, decreased
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

... A decrease in level of consciousness (LOC), from lethargy to stupor to coma, usually results from a neurologic disorder and may signal a life-threatening complication, such as hemorrhage, trauma, or... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Myoclonus
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

... Myoclonus—sudden, shocklike contractions of a single muscle or muscle group—occurs with various neurologic disorders and may herald onset of a seizure. These contractions may be isolated or... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »

Paralysis
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

... Paralysis, the total loss of voluntary motor function, results from severe cortical or pyramidal tract damage. It can occur with a cerebrovascular disorder, degenerative neuromuscular disease, trauma, tumor, or central nervous system... Emergency Interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures, absence
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

... Absence seizures are benign, generalized seizures thought to originate subcortically. These brief episodes of unconsciousness usually last 3 to 20 seconds and can occur 100 or more times a day, causing periods of inattention.... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Patient counseling ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures, complex partial
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

... A complex partial seizure occurs when a focal seizure begins in the temporal lobe and causes a partial alteration of consciousness—usually confusion. Psychomotor seizures can occur at... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures, generalized tonic-clonic
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

... Like other types of seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures are caused by the paroxysmal, uncontrolled discharge of central nervous system (CNS) neurons, leading to neurologic dysfunction. Unlike most... Emergency interventions ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures, simple partial
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

... Resulting from an irritable focus in the cerebral cortex, simple partial seizures typically last about 30 seconds and don’t alter the patient’s level of consciousness (LOC). The type... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Chorea [Choreiform movements]
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

... Chorea—brief, unpredictable bursts of rapid, jerky motion that interrupt normal coordinated movement—indicates dysfunction of the extrapyramidal system. Unlike tics... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures
(The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter)

... Linda M. Savory Seizures are a common serious neurologic disorder in the outpatient setting. In the United States, approximately 4 million patients suffer at... Approach. ... History. ... Physical examination (PE) ... Testing ... Diagnostic assessment. ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures
(Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)

... Differential Overview ❑ Generalized (grand mal) ❑ Partial (focal) ❑ Complex partial ... Diagnostic Approach ... Clinical Findings ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Vocal cord paralysis
(Handbook of Diseases)

... Paralysis of the vocal cords results from disease of or injury to the superior or, most often, the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Causes ... Signs and symptoms ... Diagnosis ... Treatment ... Special considerations ... READ EXCERPTS »

Carpopedal spasm
(Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)

... Carpopedal spasm is the violent, painful contraction of the muscles in the hands and feet. (See Recognizing carpopedal spasm, page 70.) It’s an important sign of tetany, a potentially life-threatening... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Fasciculations
(Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)

... Fasciculations are local muscle contractions representing the spontaneous discharge of a muscle fiber bundle innervated by a single motor nerve filament. These contractions cause visible... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPTS »

Level of consciousness, decreased
(Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)

... A decrease in level of consciousness (LOC), from lethargy to stupor to coma, usually results from a neurologic disorder and may signal a life-threatening complication, such as hemorrhage, trauma,... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Myoclonus
(Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)

... Myoclonus — sudden, shocklike contractions of a single muscle or muscle group — occurs with various neurologic disorders and may herald onset of a seizure. These... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPTS »

Paralysis
(Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)

... Paralysis, the total loss of voluntary motor function, results from severe cortical or pyramidal tract damage. It can occur with a cerebrovascular disorder, degenerative neuromuscular disease, trauma, tumor, or central... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures, generalized tonic-clonic
(Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)

... Like other types of seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures are caused by the paroxysmal, uncontrolled discharge of central nervous system (CNS) neurons, leading to neurologic... Assessment ... History ... Physical examination ... Pediatric pointers ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Aura
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

... An aura is a sensory or motor phenomenon, idea, or emotion that marks the initial stage of a seizure or the approach of a classic migraine headache. Auras may be classified as... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Carpopedal spasm
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

... Carpopedal spasm is the violent, painful contraction of the muscles in the hands and feet. (See Recognizing carpopedal spasm.) It’s an important sign of tetany, a... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Geriatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Chorea
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

... Chorea — brief, unpredictable bursts of rapid, jerky motion that interrupt normal coordinated movement — indicates dysfunction of the extrapyramidal system. Unlike tics, choreiform movements are seldom repetitive... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Level of consciousness, decreased
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

... A decrease in level of consciousness (LOC), which can range from lethargy to stupor to coma, usually results from a neurologic disorder and may signal a life-threatening complication, such... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Myoclonus
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

... Myoclonus — sudden, shocklike contractions of a single muscle or muscle group — occurs with various neurologic disorders and may herald onset of a seizure. These... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Paralysis
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

... Paralysis, the total loss of voluntary motor function, results from severe cortical or pyramidal tract damage. It can occur with a cerebrovascular disorder, degenerative neuromuscular disease, trauma, tumor, or central nervous... Emergency Actions ... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures, complex partial
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

... A complex partial seizure occurs when a focal seizure begins in the temporal lobe and causes a partial alteration of consciousness — usually confusion. Psychomotor seizures can occur at... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures, generalized tonic-clonic
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

... Like other types of seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures are caused by the paroxysmal, uncontrolled discharge of central nervous system (CNS) neurons, leading to neurologic dysfunction.... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures, simple partial
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

... Resulting from an irritable focus in the cerebral cortex, simple partial seizures typically last about 30 seconds and don’t alter the patient’s level of... History ... Physical assessment ... Medical causes ... Special considerations ... Pediatric pointers ... Patient counseling ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures
(The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics)

... A seizureis a sudden paroxysmal discharge of neurons that causes a transientalteration in neurologic function. This alteration can include changesin level of alertness, sensation, motor activity, and autonomicfunction. ... Classification of Seizure Types ... Principal Causes of Seizures ... Clinical Features and Diagnosis ... Diagnostic Approach ... References ... READ EXCERPTS »

Aura
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

... An aura is a sensory or motor phenomenon, idea, or emotion that marks the initial stage of a seizure or the approach of a classic migraine headache. Auras may be classified as cognitive, affective, psychosensory, or psychomotor. (See ... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Carpopedal spasm
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

... Carpopedal spasm is the violent, painful contraction of the muscles in the hands and feet. (See Recognizing carpopedal spasm.) It's an important sign of tetany, a potentially life... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Fasciculations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

... Fasciculations, or muscle twitches, are local muscle contractions caused by the spontaneous discharge of a muscle fiber bundle supplied by a single motor nerve cell. These... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPTS »

Level of consciousness, decreased
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

... A decrease in the level of consciousness (LOC), from lethargy to stupor to coma, usually results from a neurologic disorder and may signal a life-threatening complication, such as hemorrhage, trauma, or cerebral edema. However,... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Myoclonus
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

... Myoclonus—sudden, shocklike contractions of a single muscle or muscle group—occurs with various neurologic disorders and may herald the onset of a seizure. These contractions may be isolated or repetitive,... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPTS »

Paralysis
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

... Paralysis, the total loss of voluntary motor function, results from severe cortical or pyramidal tract damage. It can occur with a cerebrovascular disorder, degenerative neuromuscular disease, trauma, tumor, or... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures, absence
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

... Absence seizures are benign, generalized seizures thought to originate subcortically. These brief episodes of unconsciousness usually last 3 to 20 seconds and can occur 100 or more times... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures, complex partial
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

... A complex partial seizure occurs when a focal seizure begins in the temporal lobe and causes a partial alteration of consciousness—usually confusion. Psychomotor seizures can occur at any age, but... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures, generalized tonic-clonic
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

... Like other types of seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures are caused by the paroxysmal, uncontrolled discharge of central nervous system neurons, leading to neurologic dysfunction. Unlike most other types of seizures,... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Other causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

Seizures, simple partial
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

... Resulting from an irritable focus in the cerebral cortex, simple partial seizures typically last about 30 seconds and don't alter the patient's level of consciousness (LOC). The... History and physical examination ... Medical causes ... Nursing considerations ... Patient teaching ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

CHOREA
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

... The causes of this symptom lend themselves easily to recall. Simply remember the word VINDICATE. There are usually just one or two diseases for each letter. V—Vascular suggests an ... READ EXCERPTS »

FASCICULATIONS
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

... This sign is generally considered pathognomonic for anterior horn cell or root disease. It may occur, however, in certain cases of peripheral neuropathy, in electrolyte ... READ EXCERPTS »

MYOCLONUS
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

... The differential diagnosis of this sign is similar to that of tremors , but a few additional possibilities should be kept in mind. Idiopathic myoclonus epilepsy, petit mal ... READ EXCERPTS »

TREMOR AND OTHER INVOLUNTARY MOVEMENTS
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

... Anatomy can assist one greatly in formulating a differential diagnosis of tremor of hepatic coma, Wilson disease, and alcoholism. The thyroid brings to mind the tremor of Graves... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

FACIAL PARALYSIS
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

... A facial palsy is usually considered to be Bell palsy and it frequently is. Nevertheless, the clinician who begins treatment without ruling out other possibilities will eventually get... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

WEAKNESS OR PARALYSIS OF ONE OR MORE EXTREMITIES
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

... This symptom, as opposed to generalized weakness and fatigue , is almost invariably due to a neurologic disorder. Consequently, a comprehensive list of causes is developed using ... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »

CONVULSIONS
(Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care)

... To formulate a differential diagnosis of convulsions, one must use both physiology and anatomy.The anatomic causes are charted in Table 19. Irritability of the nerve cell is caused by the same... Pictures ... READ EXCERPTS »