Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Clinical Neurology > Epilepsy > Flashcards

Epilepsy Flashcards

1
Q

Give some risk factors for epilepsy

A 
Birth problems
Developmental delay
Past seizures
Head injury
Family history
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Give examples of drugs that can precipitate epileptic seizures

A 
Theophylline
Tramadol
Penicllins/cephalosporins
Anti-emetics
Opioids
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What investigation must a patient receive if they have presented with seizure?

A

ECG

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

When do patients with seizures get a CT scan?

A

Skull fracture
Deteriorating GCS
Focal signs
Head injury

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the only indications for EEG?

A

Classify epilepsy
Confirm non-epileptic attacks
Surgical evaluation
Confirm non-convulsive status

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

A patient presents with a one-off seizure. For how long are they not allowed to drive cars?

A

6 months

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

A patient presents with a one-off seizure. For how long are they not allowed to drive HGVs?

A

5 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

A patient has a number of epileptic attacks while awake and has lost consciousness. For how long are they not allowed to drive cars?

A

1 year

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

An epileptic patient had a single awake seizure, but has since been only having asleep seizures. For how long (from the last awake seizure) is a patient not allowed to drive cars?

A

3 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

For how long must an epilepsy patient have been off medication and not had a seizure before being able to drive HGVs?

A

10 years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the cause of epilepsy?

A

Unprovoked discharges of electrical activity in the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Epileptic seizures tend to be caused by high frequency excitatory/inhibitory action potentials

A

Excitatory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Epilepsy is commonest at what age?

A

Over 50

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is SUDEP?

A

Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy patients

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Give some causes of SUDEP

A

Aspiration during seizure
Sudden cardiac event
Brain waves stop working

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What can increase the risk of SUDEP?

A

Nocturnal seizures
Drugs
Alcohol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What occurs in focal epilepsy?

A

A single part of the brain is abnormal leading to a specific seizure

18
Q

What happens if the focal lesion impacts the cortical network?

A

Generalised seizures can occur

19
Q

What occurs in generalised epilepsy?

A

There is an abnormality in the pathways around the brain

20
Q

Give examples of generalised seizures

A 
Absence
Myoclonic
Atonic
Tonic
Tonic clonic
21
Q

Give examples of focal seizures

A

Motor
Sensory
Psychic

22
Q

Focal epilepsy is commoner in which age group? Why?

A

Over 50s - more likely to have structural brain abnormality

23
Q

What test can be done in under 30s to determine the type of epilepsy?

A

EEG

24
Q

What symptoms may be seen in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy?

A

Early morning jerks

Generalised seizures

25
Q

What treatment is generally given for primary generalised epilepsy?

A

Sodium valproate

26
Q

Which patients will not normally get sodium valproate? Why?

A

Young women - teratogenic

27
Q

What drug is given as an alternative to sodium valproate?

A

Lamotrigine

28
Q

What drugs are given to treat focal onset epilepsy?

A

Carbamazepine

Lamotrigine

29
Q

What drugs are used to treat absence seizures?

A

Sodium valproate

Ethosuximide

30
Q

What drugs can be used in myoclonic seizures?

A

Sodium valproate
Levetiracetam
Clonazepam

31
Q

What is the main drug used in atonic, tonic and tonic clonic seizures?

A

Sodium valproate

32
Q

What medications are affected and should not be used in women taking carbamazepine?

A

Progesterone only pill

Progesterone implants

33
Q

Why must a woman requiring the morning after pill see her doctor if she is taking carbamazepine?

A

As she will require a higher dose

34
Q

What is status epilepticus?

A

Recurrent epileptic seizures without full recovery of consciousness

35
Q

What are the types of status epilepticus?

A

Generalised convulsive
Non convulsive status
Epilepsia partialis continua

36
Q

Give some precipitants of status epilepticus

A 
Severe metabolic disorders
Infection
Head trauma
SA haemorrhage
Withdrawal of anti-convulsants
37
Q

What is the effect of status epilepticus on the metabolic state?

A

It is massively increased to maintain convulsion

38
Q

What can occur due to an increased metabolic state?

A

Hypoxia
Hypotension
Hyperthermia
Rhabdomyolysis

39
Q

What is the first-line drug given in status epilepticus?

A

Benzodiazepines

40
Q

What other anti-convulsants are used in status epilepticus?

A

Phenytoin
Levetiracetam
Sodium valproate

Clinical Neurology (20 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions