Nurses Know! - Preventing seizure related injuries

By Stacy Hall RN

According to the Epilepsy Foundation (2005) each year approximately 300,000 people experience a first convulsion. More than one third of them (120,000) are children under eighteen years of age, and 75,000 to 100,000 are children under five years of age who experience febrile seizures. Many of those who experience a first seizure however go on to develop chronic seizure disorder without any known cause (Clark 410).
Caring for children and adolescent with seizure disorder can be quite a scary situation when you don’t know what is going on with your child. A seizure is a sudden change in consciousness or behavior caused by abnormal brain activity. It also involves assisting them to cope with the perceived or real stigma attached to the disease as well as encouraging compliance with medical therapy (http://www.yourtotalhealth.village.com/). Medication is highly effective in the treatment of epilepsy, with approximately 70% of those treated remaining seizure-free for 5 or more years, at which time three fourths of them can discontinue medication without a return of a seizures. With Adolescent the need is different than with children, with adolescent in particular may need to be referred for counseling if their condition contributes to a poor self image or difficulty with interpersonal interactions especially in school setting. Under certain circumstance anyone can experience a seizure, but a seizure can occur at any age although children are at greater risk for seizure than any other age groups. There are different medical conditions that may produce a seizure such as (Diabetes and etc).
The community health nurse can educate them about the inadvisability of swimming alone or help adolescent cope with their inability to obtain a drivers license. Both the children and parents may need to be helped to cope with the fear and uncertainty caused by uncontrolled seizures. School nurse in particular, may be in a position to educate others about seizures disorder and advocate for fair treatment of those affected, and also medication management. Educate on keeping an emergency kit for seizure disorder with them at all times, educate on the pre seizure activity to family and client, and Safety measure such as (helmet wearing for protection of head, and etc.)

References

1. Retrieved July 21, 2008 from http://www.yourtotalhealth.village.com /html
2. Clark, J.M., (2008) Community Health Nurse Meeting the Health Needs of Children and Adolescent (pp. 410) Pearson Education, Inc., New Jersey.

Note: This blog post reflects the work of Stacey Hall RN with minor editing by Shirley Comer RN and was completed as a class assignment. The content of this blog is for informational purposes only. Before beginning or changing a treatment or lifestyle regime you should consult your primary health care provider.