Specialty Focused Recordings: Seizures and Epilepsy-Seize The Day

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Mary Mullen, a nurse at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, discusses nursing care for patients undergoing invasive EEG monitoring for drug-resistant epilepsy. When seizures persist despite two or more anti-seizure medications, a multidisciplinary team may use implanted electrodes to locate seizure activity and assess surgical options. Grids and strips sit on the brain’s surface and support functional mapping, while depth electrodes monitor deeper brain regions and can sample both hemispheres. Potential complications include bleeding, infection, swelling, and cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Nurses help prepare patients and families, coordinate care, monitor neurological status, follow seizure and fall precautions, and respond safely to seizures or agitation. They must know how to protect the electrodes and when to escalate concerns, including obtaining urgent imaging after injury. Clear education, individualized safety plans, and discharge support are essential to patient and family well-being.

Keywords

invasive EEG monitoring

drug-resistant epilepsy

nursing care

implanted electrodes

seizure precautions

functional mapping