127: Status Epilepticus

Do you feel confident recognizing status epilepticus? When a seizure doesn’t stop on its own, knowing the signs of this high-stakes emergency is the first step to preventing complications and even death. This episode breaks everything you need to know about status epilepticus — the warning signs, critical action steps, and the interventions that save lives.

In this deep dive for Epilepsy Awareness Month, Sarah unpacks the role of nurses to take quick action and advocate for patients in status epilepticus. From what happens in the brain during prolonged seizures to proper use of benzodiazepines and anti-epileptic drugs, we get into the nitty gritty of managing this life-threatening condition.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Status epilepticus case study
• Defining status epilepticus and its pathophysiology
• How to recognize the signs of status epilepticus
• Intervention tools and best practices
• Medication use and management
• Prevention and identification of underlying causes