Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

What is the typical result of a tonic seizure?

1. Loss of motor control

2. Sudden stiffening of body muscles

3. Loss of awareness

4. Prolonged confusion

The correct answer is: Sudden stiffening of body muscles

The typical result of a tonic seizure is characterized by sudden stiffening of body muscles. During a tonic seizure, a person experiences a rapid and intense contraction of all or major muscle groups, which can cause the body to become rigid. This stiffness can affect specific regions, such as the arms and legs, or the entire body. Understanding tonic seizures is crucial for medical professionals, as recognizing the specific symptoms helps differentiate them from other types of seizures. For example, loss of awareness is more typical of absence seizures, while prolonged confusion often follows complex partial seizures or postictal states after a seizure. Likewise, loss of motor control may pertain to different seizure types or neurological conditions rather than the characteristic muscular rigidity seen in tonic seizures. Recognizing these features effectively informs appropriate medical responses and patient care.