Med 16

Generalized seizures

Seizure characterized by loss of consciousness and generalized muscle contractions.

Tonic muscle activity

Stiffening of the muscles during a generalized seizure; most evident in the arms and legs.

Overdose

Excessive and potentially dangerous dose of a drug or prescribed medication.

Status epilepticus

Life-threatening condition that occurs when an individual has very long seizures or seizures that occur in quick succession.

Hemodialysis

Process of mechanically filtering the blood to remove wastes and excess fluid.

Hyperglycemia

Abnormally high blood-sugar level.

Sepsis

Potentially life-threatening condition caused by the body producing an extreme and damaging response to an infection.

Diabetes

Refers to diabetes mellitus, a disease in which individuals either do not produce enough insulin or their body cannot use insulin effectively.

Clonic muscle activity

Violent jerking of the muscles during a generalized seizure.

Febrile seizures

Seizure in a young child triggered by a fever.

Convulsions

Uncontrolled muscular contractions.

Postictal

Phase of a seizure following convulsions.

Hypoglycemia

Abnormally low blood-sugar level.

Epilepsy

Disorder of the brain that causes seizures.

Partial seizures

Seizure characterized by a localized area of muscle contractions.

Anaphylaxis

Severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

Altered mental status (AMS)

State characterized by a decrease in the patient’s alertness and responsiveness to their surroundings.

Behavioral emergency

Situation in which an individual exhibits abnormal behavior that is unacceptable or intolerable to the patient, family, or community.

Stroke

Medical emergency that occurs when an area of the brain does not receive an adequate blood supply, leading to death of brain cells.