FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

A 7-year-old boy frequently "stares off into space." If this is a seizure, which type is it most likely?

1. Pseudoseizure

2. Tonic-clonic seizure

3. Absence

4. Myoclonus

The correct answer is: Absence

The most likely type of seizure for a 7-year-old boy who frequently "stares off into space" is an absence seizure. Absence seizures are characterized by brief lapses in consciousness, often occurring without any warning. During these episodes, which can last just a few seconds, the child may appear to be staring blankly, and they may not respond to external stimuli. This type of seizure is common in children and may go unnoticed due to their fleeting nature. Absence seizures are different from pseudoseizures, which are psychological in origin and may involve a different pattern of behavior or awareness. Tonic-clonic seizures involve both tonic (stiffening of muscles) and clonic (rhythmic jerking) phases, which typically causes noticeable convulsions, making them distinguishable from the more subtle absence seizures. Myoclonic seizures consist of sudden, brief muscle jerks, which is also not characteristic of simply staring off into space. Thus, the presence of staring episodes in a child strongly indicates absence seizures as the correct diagnosis.