Distinguish tonic, clonic, absence seizures with brief definitions.

• A. Tonic = rhythmic jerking; clonic = loss of consciousness; absence = prolonged stiffening.
• B. Tonic = brief lapse of consciousness; clonic = staring; absence = massive convulsions.
• C. Tonic = sustained muscle stiffening; clonic = rhythmic jerking; absence = brief lapse of consciousness with minor motor activity.
• D. Tonic = flaccid weakness; clonic = spasms; absence = eyelid twitching.

Answer: (C)

The question tests how to distinguish tonic, clonic, and absence seizures by pace of movement and level of consciousness. The best description is that tonic seizures involve sustained muscle stiffening; clonic seizures involve rhythmic jerking; absence seizures involve a brief lapse of consciousness with minor motor activity. In tonic events, the body becomes rigid from continuous muscle contraction, which can make movement difficult and may cause a fall. In clonic events, the muscles alternate between tightening and relaxing in repetitive jerks. In absence events, consciousness is briefly impaired, often with a blank stare and only small movements such as a blink or lip movements.

The other descriptions mix wrong features—tonic isn’t rhythmic jerking, clonic isn’t a loss of consciousness, and absence isn’t massive convulsions—so they don’t match how these seizure types typically present.