Simple partial (focal) seizures: • Muscle contractions of a specific part of the body. • Abnormal sensations.
• May have nausea, sweating, skin flushing and dilated pupils.
• May have other localized symptoms. Treatment
One of the most important things to remember about treating a seizure patient is you cannot stop the seizure from happening! Focus on trying to protect the patient from becoming injured during the seizure. The seizure itself is rarely a fatal event; however, it is imperative that you notify your PIC and contact Aircare Access. The activity the patient is doing while having the seizure can pose a problem: flying a plane, walking around the cabin or boarding a plane.
Your treatment centers on protecting the patient from the environment. Move objects away from the patient; use blankets and pillows to cushion the area. Get the patient to the floor if seated in a chair. Another important thing to remember is never put anything in the patient’s mouth! A common misconception is that people can swallow their tongue during a seizure. This simply cannot happen. Certainly the tongue can block the airway, so for this reason, put the patient in the recovery position, to protect the airway.
When the seizure has ended, calm and reassure the patient. Ask if this has happened before. If this is a first time seizure, it can be the sign of a serious medical problem. The patient must be evaluated by a physician. If this is a normal event for your patient, observation may be all that is required.
Fever is the most common cause of seizures in infants and children. Fortunately, this type of seizure usually lasts only a few seconds to a few minutes. When you see a prolonged seizure, recognize that the longer it lasts, the more serious it is.
Here are some of the major causes of seizures in infants and children:
• Fever • Infections • Decreased oxygen level in the brain • Poisoning/overdose • Low blood sugar • Trauma/shock
The guidelines for treating seizures in children, include making certain the PIC has been notified and Aircare Access has been called. As with adults,
do not try to restrain the child. Move any toys or furniture away to prevent injury.
Once the seizure is over, complete your initial assessment paying close attention to the child’s airway. In some cases, a physical assessment is indicated especially if an injury or trauma occured during the seizure.
When the seizure is over, you can expect the child to act tired and lethargic. Provide Aircare Access with a report of the events. Your details of what happened during the seizure can often assist medical professionals in determining the cause and save valuable time later.
All of the possible causes of seizures can also cause an infant or child to have a decreased level of responsiveness. A decreasing level of responsiveness is a bad sign in children. Do a thorough assessment and try to determine the underlying cause. Notify the PIC and call Aircare Access. Monitor the child’s circulation, airway and breathing (CABs). When providing seizure first aid for generalized tonic clonic (grand mal) seizures, key things to remember are:
• Keep calm and reassure other passengers who may be nearby.
• Never hold the person down or try to stop movements.
• Time the seizure with your watch. • Clear the area around the person.
• Loosen ties or anything around the neck that may make breathing difficult.
• Put something flat and soft, like a folded jacket or blanket, under the patient’s head.
• Turn the patient gently onto one side to help keep the airway clear.
• Never force the patient’s mouth open with anything, especially your fingers.
• Do not attempt CPR unless the person does not start breathing again after the seizure has stopped.
• Stay with the patient until the seizure ends naturally.
• As seizure patients wake up, be aware they may be embarrassed, disoriented, or afraid. Reassure them you are there to help and they are safe.
RECOVERY POSITION
When treating any patient who has NOT been exposed to trauma, the recovery position can help with comfort, while protecting the airway. If there is any chance your patient has suffered trauma, such as a fall or jarring injury to the head or neck, do not move the patient.
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