Assessing seizure activity in mentally disabled adults.
Epilepsy occurs in about 30% of mentally disabled adults. With the closure of long-term care institutions and the move of patient care into the community, there is greater opportunity for nurses to provide care for disabled people in hospitals, clinics and other community settings. The ability to accurately assess seizure activity in these people is essential in order to provide the best possible treatment. This article discusses factors which complicate assessment: lack of verbal skills, attendant neurological deficits, polypharmacy, misdiagnoses and presumed noncompliance with diagnostic procedures. Practical nursing interventions and strategies to address this clinical problem are offered.
Lannon
S L
SL
Oregon Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Portland 97210.
D000328:Adult; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010347:Patient Care Planning