Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

What is the primary characteristic of grand mal seizures?

1. Affects one hemisphere of the brain

2. Short duration and loss of consciousness

3. Involves significant muscle twitching

4. Only occurs during sleep

The correct answer is: Short duration and loss of consciousness

The primary characteristic of grand mal seizures, also known as tonic-clonic seizures, is the loss of consciousness along with muscle contractions and rigidity. During a grand mal seizure, the individual experiences a sudden onset of the seizure, which can be preceded by an aura in some cases. This generalization across both hemispheres of the brain leads to a significant alteration in consciousness and can result in a fall and possible bodily injury. The duration of a grand mal seizure typically lasts around one to three minutes, with the postictal state potentially leading to confusion and muscle soreness afterward. The other options do not accurately capture the nature of grand mal seizures: they are not limited to one hemisphere of the brain, do not only occur during sleep, and while muscle twitching may be present, the hallmark is more the combination of the tonic (stiffening) and clonic (jerking) muscle activity, not merely "twitching." Thus, the defining characteristic of loss of consciousness aligns perfectly with the foundational knowledge of grand mal seizures.