Status epilepticus
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
Neurohigh priorityneeds review
Status epilepticus
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Prolonged seizure or repeated seizures without return to baseline.
- Sustained neuronal firing can cause hypoxia, acidosis, hyperthermia, and neurologic injury.
Medications
| Class | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Benzodiazepines | First-line rescue class in many seizure protocols. |
Nursing actions
- Call for emergency help and protect airway, oxygenation, and IV access.
- Prepare rescue medication per protocol.
- Check glucose and temperature when stabilized.
Complications
- Respiratory failure
- Aspiration
- Brain injury
- Rhabdomyolysis
NCLEX cues
- Seizure lasting several minutes.
- Repeated seizures without waking.
- Benzodiazepine plus airway monitoring.
Memory hooks
- Long seizure equals airway emergency.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Trend assessment findings and ordered diagnostics; verify exact values with school source material.
Review notes
- Session-derived study seed. Verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy before relying on details.