Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

What characterizes the clonic phase of a generalized motor seizure?

1. Loss of consciousness

2. Stiffening of the body

3. Muscle contraction and relaxation occurring in rapid succession

4. Involuntary jerking of the limbs

The correct answer is: Muscle contraction and relaxation occurring in rapid succession

The clonic phase of a generalized motor seizure is primarily characterized by muscle contraction and relaxation occurring in rapid succession. During this phase, the patient exhibits rhythmic jerking movements of the limbs and other muscle groups. This is a result of the regular alternating contraction and relaxation of the muscles, which creates the classic "clonic" jerking movements associated with seizures. This phase typically follows an initial tonic phase, where the body stiffens. While loss of consciousness is often a result of the seizure as a whole, it is not specific to the clonic phase. The involuntary jerking of the limbs, while associated with the clonic phase, is more specific than the broader definition of muscle contraction and relaxation together that captures the full essence of this stage. Thus, "muscle contraction and relaxation occurring in rapid succession" provides a more comprehensive depiction of the clonic phase during generalized seizures.