Seizure Disorder

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Seizure Disorder

• Guidelines and information regarding seizure
  disorder and management

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Seizure Disorder

• A seizure is a sudden attack of altered
  consciousness, motor activity, sensory phenomena,
  or inappropriate behavior.
• SOME CAUSES OF A SEIZURE
• Brain injury
• Episodes of fever
• Allergy
• Birth defects
• Genetic disorders

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Seizure DisorderCharacteristics of convulsive
seizures (tonic/clonic, grand mal, atonic)

• Eyes roll upward, immediate loss of
  consciousness, stiffening of entire musculature,
  rigidity followed by jerking movements as body
  undergoes rhythmic contraction and relaxation
  may foam at the mouth, usually incontinent of
  urine and/or feces.

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Seizure DisorderCharacteristics of
non-convulsive seizures(absence, partial, petit
mal, myoclonic)

• Staring spells, periods of unresponsiveness or
  confusion, tic-like movements, head dropping,
  eyes rolling upward, rapid blinking, mouth
  movements with a dazed look or blank stare,
  aimless dazed walking, jerking of an arm or leg.

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Seizure DisorderGeneral Health Guidelines

• Follow directions from the students physician
  and give medication as prescribed according to
  the schools medication procedure.
• Document seizure activity at school using the
  Seizure Report Flow Chart
• Notify parents of seizure and document
  notification
• Treat just as you do the other students, with
  full participation in all school activities, and
  appropriate discipline if warranted.
• Expect average or above average intellectual
  ability, but be aware that medication to prevent
  seizures may slow response time or increase
  hyperactivity/agitation.

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Seizure DisorderSchool Roles and Responsibilites

• Remain calm
• Position student on his/her right side
• DO NOT put any object in students mouth
• DO NOT restrain student
• Clear immediate environment of objects that could
  cause injury
• Have another classroom adult remove/direct
  students from area
• Give first aid and emergency care as needed and
  according to Gaston County Schools Emergency
  Procedures.

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Seizure DisorderSchool Roles and
Responsibilities continued

• Time the seizure
• CALL 911 for any seizure lasting longer than 5
  minutes unless otherwise directed by a students
  physician.
• During a convulsive seizure, expect to see pale
  or bluish discoloration of the skin/lips. Expect
  to hear noisy breathing.
• After seizure is over, stay with student until
  full recovery has occurred.
• Offer reassurance and reorient the student
  explaining what happened.
• Disorientation can last several minutes following
  a seizure.

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Diastat

• Seizure medication information and administration

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Diastat (Diazepam)

• Diazepam rectal is used in emergency situations
  to stop cluster seizures (episodes of increased
  seizure activity). Diazepam rectal works by
  calming abnormal over-activity in the brain.
• Diazepam comes as a gel to instill rectally using
  a pre-filled syringe with a special plastic tip.

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Diastat (Diazepam)

• Before administering any medication, make sure
  that the parent and physician have signed the
  appropriate medication authorization.

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DiastatDirections for usage

• Put the person having seizures on his/her side in
  a place where he/she cannot fall.
• Remove the protective cover from the syringe by
  pushing it up with your thumb and then pulling it
  off.
• Put lubricating jelly on the rectal tip.
• Turn the person on his/her side facing you, bend
  his/her upper leg forward, and separate the
  his/her buttocks to expose the rectum.

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DiastatDirections for usage continued

• Gently insert the syringe tip into the rectum
  until the rim is snug against the rectal opening.
  
• Slowly count to 3 while pushing in the plunger
  until it stops.
• Slowly count to 3 again, and then remove the
  syringe from the rectum.
• Hold the buttocks together so the gel doesn't
  leak from the rectum, and slowly count to 3
  before letting go.
• Keep the person on his/her side. Take note of
  what time diazepam rectal gel was given, and
  continue to watch the person.