Module 3: Assessment
Lesson 6
Status epilepticus: Goals of care
Assessment and management of status epilepticus occurs in tandem.
The main goal of treatment is to urgently stop the clinical and electographic seizure activity.
Following stabilization of the patient, a secondary goal is to identify the etiology of seizure activity through diagnostic work-up and to provide continued dosing for maintenance therapy.
Summary
Treatment protocols for status epilepticus recommend interventions after 5 minutes of continuous seizure activity. Assessment and management are, therefore, concomitant. The goal is protect the patient from secondary trauma and to stop the seizure as rapidly as possible.
