SEIZURES AND EPILEPSY NCLEX
REVIEW FOR NURSING STUDENTS.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
VERIFIED.
What are seizures? - ANS Seizures occur when abnormal electrical signals are rapidly fired
by neurons in the brain.
What is a generalized seizure? - ANS A seizure that affects both sides of the brain.
What is a partial or focal seizure? - ANS A seizure that is located in a specific area of the
brain.
What can cause seizures? - ANS Severe acute conditions like high fever, illness,
hypoglycemia, acid-base imbalances, alcohol withdrawal, or brain tumors.
What is epilepsy? - ANS A chronic condition where a patient experiences frequent
seizures.
What neurotransmitter is associated with excitatory neurons? - ANS Glutamate.
1
, What neurotransmitter is associated with inhibitory neurons? - ANS GABA (gamma-
aminobutyric acid).
What happens if there is an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurons? -
ANS Seizures may occur due to excessive excitation.
What is a tonic-clonic seizure? - ANS The most common type of generalized seizure
characterized by loss of consciousness and jerking movements.
What is the postictal phase? - ANS The recovery period after a seizure where the patient
feels tired and may not remember the event.
What is an absence seizure? - ANS A brief seizure most common in children, characterized
by a staring state.
What is an atonic seizure? - ANS A seizure where the patient loses muscle tone and may
fall, often requiring protective gear.
What is a myoclonic seizure? - ANS A seizure characterized by quick jerking movements of
the muscles.
What distinguishes focal onset aware seizures from focal impaired awareness seizures? -
ANS In focal onset aware seizures, the patient is aware of their surroundings; in focal
impaired awareness seizures, they are not.
What are automatisms in the context of seizures? - ANS Involuntary actions performed
without awareness, such as lip smacking or hand rubbing.
2
REVIEW FOR NURSING STUDENTS.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
VERIFIED.
What are seizures? - ANS Seizures occur when abnormal electrical signals are rapidly fired
by neurons in the brain.
What is a generalized seizure? - ANS A seizure that affects both sides of the brain.
What is a partial or focal seizure? - ANS A seizure that is located in a specific area of the
brain.
What can cause seizures? - ANS Severe acute conditions like high fever, illness,
hypoglycemia, acid-base imbalances, alcohol withdrawal, or brain tumors.
What is epilepsy? - ANS A chronic condition where a patient experiences frequent
seizures.
What neurotransmitter is associated with excitatory neurons? - ANS Glutamate.
1
, What neurotransmitter is associated with inhibitory neurons? - ANS GABA (gamma-
aminobutyric acid).
What happens if there is an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurons? -
ANS Seizures may occur due to excessive excitation.
What is a tonic-clonic seizure? - ANS The most common type of generalized seizure
characterized by loss of consciousness and jerking movements.
What is the postictal phase? - ANS The recovery period after a seizure where the patient
feels tired and may not remember the event.
What is an absence seizure? - ANS A brief seizure most common in children, characterized
by a staring state.
What is an atonic seizure? - ANS A seizure where the patient loses muscle tone and may
fall, often requiring protective gear.
What is a myoclonic seizure? - ANS A seizure characterized by quick jerking movements of
the muscles.
What distinguishes focal onset aware seizures from focal impaired awareness seizures? -
ANS In focal onset aware seizures, the patient is aware of their surroundings; in focal
impaired awareness seizures, they are not.
What are automatisms in the context of seizures? - ANS Involuntary actions performed
without awareness, such as lip smacking or hand rubbing.
2
