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Living safely with epilepsy: a key learning review Volume 22, numéro 4, August 2020

TEST YOURSELF

(1) What risk factors are associated with traffic accidents in persons with epilepsy?

A. Poor treatment compliance

B. Frequent seizures

C. Alcohol consumption

D. All of the above

 

(2) What is true regarding the risk of burns in persons with epilepsy?

A. Children are more prone to burns than adults with epilepsy.

B. Women are more prone to burns than men and should be counselled early regarding the possibilities of prevention.

C. Burn injuries due to direct exposure to fire during a seizure currently represent the most common type of burn.

D. Seizure-related burns are almost always related to generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

 

(3) Which is the most frequent type of seizure-related injury?

A. Burns compromising the face and upper respiratory tract

B. Submersion events and drowning

C. Hip and ankle fractures

D. Soft tissue injuries affecting the head

 

(4) In which setting do seizure-related injuries most frequently occur?

A. During sports

B. At home

C. At work

D. While driving

 

(5) What are your recommendations for practicing soccer/basketball for a teenager with a focal, structural epilepsy and normal cognition?

A. Wait until one year of seizure freedom for a contact sport.

B. Practice the sport, but exclude competition, in order to avoid seizures triggered by stress.

C. Practice the sport, including competitions.

D. Practice the sport, including competitions, but wearing a helmet.

 

(6) What are your recommendations for swimming for a child with well-controlled epilepsy under medication, and moderate neurodevelopmental delay?

A. Avoid swimming, given the high risk of drowning.

B. Allow bathing in private pools only, with constant supervision by relatives in charge.

C. Allow swimming in pools with personal floating devices and constant supervision by trained personnel.

D. Allow swimming in open water, with personal floating device and supervision.

 

(7) Which of the following behaviours can decrease the risk of SUDEP?

A. Early stimulation in the postictal period

B. Avoiding excessive alcohol intake in the evening

C. Taking benzodiazepines before sleep

D. Following a strict medication schedule to avoid plasma level fluctuations

 

(8) When should the risk of death be discussed with an epilepsy patient?

A. The increased risk of death associated with epilepsy (injuries and accidents, SUDEP, suicide, aetiology) must be explained during the first consultation.

B. Risks of seizure-related injuries should be discussed early on for all patients with seizures, and SUDEP for all epilepsy patients.

C. The risk of SUDEP should be explained for every patient immediately after the first seizure-like event.

D. As this is a sensitive issue, it should be mentioned only when the patient or relative asks for information on it.

 

(9) What strategy is preferable for counselling epilepsy patients on epilepsy-associated risks and SUDEP?

A. Brochures and high quality, evidence-based educational material.

B. Promoting self-aid groups and counselling in pairs, with those who will better understand their fears.

C. Web-based self-management tools, to promote self-empowerment.

D. All of the above, after an individually tailored discussion with the treating physician.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Answers

(1) D

 

(2) B

 

(3) D

 

(4) B

 

(5) C

 

(6) C

 

(7) A

 

(8) B

 

(9) D

 

 

 

 

 

 

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