Review the pathophysiology of epilepsy including etiology, diagnostic criteria, and factors to consider in differentiating epilepsy from other disorders, classification of epileptic seizures and first aid measures for the patient with seizures.
Identify the clinical manifestations associated with the different types of epileptic seizures.
Provide an understanding of the basic principles involved in the drug treatment of epilepsy, including factors to consider in the initiation and assessment of anticonvulsant therapy.
Explain the role of plasma concentration monitoring in anticonvulsant therapy and be aware of the therapeutic serum concentration range for the major anticonvulsant drugs. Review the adverse effects seen during therapy with the major anticonvulsants.
Your report is 2000-3000 words in length and discusses in detail (in the body of the report) the following topics:
1. Aetiology
2. Pathophysiology of epilepsy (including definitions)
3. Types of seizures including diagnostic tests used to classify seizures.
- Partial (Simple partial and complex partial)
- Generalized (Tonic/Clonic, Absent, Atonic, Tonic, Myoclonic and Atypical absence)
4. First aid care of a client during and after a seizure.
5. Drug Therapy
6. Principles of Anticonvulsant Therapy
- Monotherapy
- Monitoring Seizure activity
7. Discuss the following Medications and what types of seizures they are prescribed for, include pharmacodynamics for each drug:
- Clonazepam
- Lamotrigine
- Gabapentin
- Phenytoin
- Sodium Valproate
- Phenobarbitone
- Oxcarbazepine
8. Discuss major adverse affects of the above 7 drugs and potential drug interactions. Include in your answer Dose (Plasma Concentration and monitoring), related adverse effects, chronic long-term side effects and hypersensitivity/anaphylaxis.
9. Define therapeutic index and discuss this in relation to Phenytoin, Carbamazepine, Sodium Valproate and Phenobarbitone.
10. Report any recent changes in medical care, new guidelines in treatment/medications and whether or not it's available in Australia.