During which phase do uncontrolled muscle contractions and relaxations occur, often with apnea?

• A. Postictal phase
• B. Aura phase
• C. Tonic phase
• D. Tonic-clonic phase

Answer: (D)

During a generalized seizure, the ictal event unfolds in phases. The tonic phase brings sustained muscle rigidity, which can temporarily impede breathing. After that, the clonic phase features alternating contractions and relaxations—jerking movements. When you describe uncontrolled muscle contractions and relaxations often with apnea, you’re describing the entire tonic-clonic phase, which encompasses both the stiffening and the rhythmic jerking and can involve brief periods of apnea. The aura is a premonitory sensation, not the muscular activity, and the postictal phase is the recovery period after the seizure.