Which phase occurs after convulsions subside and the patient slowly regains consciousness?

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

Answer: (A)

Postictal phase describes the recovery period after a seizure, when the brain is gradually returning to baseline and consciousness comes back. After the convulsions subside, patients are often drowsy or confused, may have a headache or muscle soreness, and might not remember the event. This phase is distinct from the other phases: the aura can occur before a seizure as a warning sensation, the tonic phase involves the initial stiffening of muscles during the seizure, and the tonic-clonic phase refers to the entire seizure event, including both stiffening and jerking, not the recovery after it ends. The postictal period is the specific time of recovery following the seizure, with gradual return of awareness over minutes to hours.