North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

What type of seizure is formally referred to as Grand Mal?

1. Localized seizure

2. Generalized seizure

3. Partial seizure

4. Myoclonic seizure

The correct answer is: Generalized seizure

Grand Mal seizures are clinically classified as generalized seizures. This type of seizure affects both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously, leading to a loss of consciousness and the characteristic tonic-clonic movements involving stiffening and twitching of muscles. During a Grand Mal seizure, which is also known as a tonic-clonic seizure, a person experiences two distinct phases: the tonic phase, where there is muscle stiffness, and the clonic phase, where there are rhythmic jerking movements. This makes it important for first responders and EMTs to recognize this type of seizure for appropriate management and intervention. In contrast, localized seizures involve only a specific area of the brain and do not necessarily lead to a loss of consciousness. Partial seizures are limited to one hemisphere of the brain, and myoclonic seizures are characterized by sudden, brief jerks of a muscle or a group of muscles, rather than the sustained tonic-clonic activity seen in Grand Mal seizures. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for emergency response professionals in order to provide the best care for patients experiencing any type of seizure.