Which phase is the recovery period during which, over about 30 minutes, consciousness progressively improves?

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

Answer: (D)

The phase after a seizure ends is the postictal phase, the recovery period during which consciousness progressively improves. This typically unfolds over minutes to about 30 minutes as the brain returns to baseline function. During the postictal state a person may be drowsy, disoriented, may have impaired speech, headaches, nausea, or dizziness, and there can be temporary weakness on one side known as Todd’s paralysis. Vital signs are monitored and support is provided for airway, breathing, and circulation, with oxygen given if needed. The postictal phase ends when the patient regains full awareness and normal neurologic function. This differs from the aura, which is the warning sensation before the seizure, and from the tonic phase (stiffening) and clonic phase (jerking), which are the active seizure activities occurring during the event itself.