PEDI | Seizure Pharm

https://statstitch.etsy.com1. The "Vital Few" Seizure Types (The 20% you will see most often)While there are many seizure classifications, these three dominate pediatric presentations.• Febrile Seizures (The Most Common) ◦ Who: The most common type of seizure in children under 5 years old, peaking between 12–18 months. ◦ Why: Triggered by a rapid rise in body temperature (usually >102.2°F or 39°C) associated with a viral infection, not a CNS infection. ◦ Outlook: Generally benign. Most stop by the time the child receives medical attention. They do not typically cause structural brain damage or cognitive decline.• Tonic–Clonic (Formerly "Grand Mal") ◦ Presentation: The most dramatic type. Involves loss of consciousness, stiffening of the body (tonic), followed by rhythmic jerking (clonic). ◦ Aftermath: Always associated with a postictal phase (semicomatose or deep sleep for 30 minutes to 2 hours) where the child has no memory of the event,.• Absence (Formerly "Petit Mal") ◦ Presentation: Often mistaken for "daydreaming" or inattention. Involves a sudden cessation of motor activity or speech with a blank facial expression. There is minimal to no motor activity (maybe slight eye twitching). ◦ Frequency: A child may experience countless attacks in a single day. Unlike tonic-clonic, there is no postictal state; the child resumes activity immediately.2. The Core Management Protocols (The 20% of actions that ensure safety)Nursing management prioritizes preventing injury and maintaining the airway over stopping the seizure immediately (unless it is Status Epilepticus).• The "Do's" of Acute Management: ◦ Time the seizure: Note the onset and duration. If it lasts >5 minutes, it is a medical emergency. ◦ Positioning: Place the child on their side to open the airway and drain secretions. ◦ Safety: Ease the child to the floor if standing/sitting. Remove hazards from the area. Loosen tight clothing around the neck.• The "Don'ts" (Critical Errors): ◦ Do NOT restrain the child. ◦ Do NOT force anything into the mouth (no tongue blades).• Status Epilepticus (The Emergency): ◦ Defined as prolonged seizure activity (>30 minutes) or clustered seizures where the child does not regain consciousness in between. ◦ Action: Requires immediate medical intervention to prevent morbidity. Treatment includes airway management (ABCs), glucose monitoring, and rapid administration of benzodiazepines (IV/rectal Diazepam or Lorazepam),.3. Pharmacology "Cheat Sheet" (The High-Yield Medications)While there are many anticonvulsants, these categories represent the core pharmacological approach.• Rescue Meds (Stop the seizure now): ◦ Benzodiazepines (Diazepam, Lorazepam, Midazolam): Used for Status Epilepticus or acute interruption of a seizure. Can be given IV, rectally (Diastat), or intranasally,.