Nursing a Patient with Nonepileptic Seizures — Case Report

Introduction. Differentiation of epileptic seizures from psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) is problematic and leads to wrong diagnosis. It is estimated that among patients diagnosed with epilepsy, as many as 20–40% suffered from pseudo-epileptic seizures. Misdiagnosis is associated with a del...

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Main Author: Piotr Wojda
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Państwowa Akademia Nauk Stosowanych we Włocławku 2021-03-01
Series:Pielęgniarstwo Neurologiczne i Neurochirurgiczne
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Online Access:https://apcz.umk.pl/PNIN/article/view/37762
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author Piotr Wojda
author_facet Piotr Wojda
author_sort Piotr Wojda
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. Differentiation of epileptic seizures from psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) is problematic and leads to wrong diagnosis. It is estimated that among patients diagnosed with epilepsy, as many as 20–40% suffered from pseudo-epileptic seizures. Misdiagnosis is associated with a delay in the implementation of appropriate treatment, complications following unnecessary treatment, worse functioning of the patient, high costs of care and unemployment. Aim. The aim of the study was to familiarise neuroscience nurses with the causes, symptoms, treatment and nursing care for a patient with PNES on the basis of the described case. Case Report. Case study of a female patient with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures repeatedly treated in a psychiatric ward. Based on an interview with the patient, analysis of the medical documentation, direct and indirect observation of the patient, problems with nursing were identified and a care plan was established. Results. The depicted patient was admitted to a psychiatric ward due to suicidal intentions, decreased mood and epileptic attacks of unknown aetiology. The patient was struggling with numerous psychosocial problems, which required high professional and ethical competences. The patient has been diagnosed with the following care problems: reluctance to undergo video EEG examination, abdominal pain, isolation of the patient in the ward, risk of suicide, risk of injury. Conclusions. The nursing interventions undertaken with respect to the patient turned out to be effective. Improvement in psychosocial functioning was achieved and the patient did not attempt suicide during the crisis. Thanks to the interdisciplinary cooperation, it was possible to confirm the non-epileptic nature of the seizures, and the patient was discharged with therapeutic recommendations (pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, visits to a mental health clinic). (JNNN 2021;10(1):35–41)
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spelling doaj-art-81027e6563c041debc79159a89018c492025-08-20T02:33:55ZengPaństwowa Akademia Nauk Stosowanych we WłocławkuPielęgniarstwo Neurologiczne i Neurochirurgiczne2084-80212299-03212021-03-01101354110.15225/PNN.2021.10.1.533349Nursing a Patient with Nonepileptic Seizures — Case ReportPiotr Wojda0LVR-Klinik Köln Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus der Universität zu Köln, DeutschlandIntroduction. Differentiation of epileptic seizures from psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) is problematic and leads to wrong diagnosis. It is estimated that among patients diagnosed with epilepsy, as many as 20–40% suffered from pseudo-epileptic seizures. Misdiagnosis is associated with a delay in the implementation of appropriate treatment, complications following unnecessary treatment, worse functioning of the patient, high costs of care and unemployment. Aim. The aim of the study was to familiarise neuroscience nurses with the causes, symptoms, treatment and nursing care for a patient with PNES on the basis of the described case. Case Report. Case study of a female patient with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures repeatedly treated in a psychiatric ward. Based on an interview with the patient, analysis of the medical documentation, direct and indirect observation of the patient, problems with nursing were identified and a care plan was established. Results. The depicted patient was admitted to a psychiatric ward due to suicidal intentions, decreased mood and epileptic attacks of unknown aetiology. The patient was struggling with numerous psychosocial problems, which required high professional and ethical competences. The patient has been diagnosed with the following care problems: reluctance to undergo video EEG examination, abdominal pain, isolation of the patient in the ward, risk of suicide, risk of injury. Conclusions. The nursing interventions undertaken with respect to the patient turned out to be effective. Improvement in psychosocial functioning was achieved and the patient did not attempt suicide during the crisis. Thanks to the interdisciplinary cooperation, it was possible to confirm the non-epileptic nature of the seizures, and the patient was discharged with therapeutic recommendations (pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, visits to a mental health clinic). (JNNN 2021;10(1):35–41)https://apcz.umk.pl/PNIN/article/view/37762case studydifferential diagnosisnon-epileptic seizuresnursing care
spellingShingle Piotr Wojda
Nursing a Patient with Nonepileptic Seizures — Case Report
Pielęgniarstwo Neurologiczne i Neurochirurgiczne
case study
differential diagnosis
non-epileptic seizures
nursing care
title Nursing a Patient with Nonepileptic Seizures — Case Report
title_full Nursing a Patient with Nonepileptic Seizures — Case Report
title_fullStr Nursing a Patient with Nonepileptic Seizures — Case Report
title_full_unstemmed Nursing a Patient with Nonepileptic Seizures — Case Report
title_short Nursing a Patient with Nonepileptic Seizures — Case Report
title_sort nursing a patient with nonepileptic seizures case report
topic case study
differential diagnosis
non-epileptic seizures
nursing care
url https://apcz.umk.pl/PNIN/article/view/37762
work_keys_str_mv AT piotrwojda nursingapatientwithnonepilepticseizurescasereport