Which term describes a vacant or unresponsive seizure?

The term that describes a vacant or unresponsive seizure is known as an absence seizure. These seizures are characterized by a brief, sudden lapse in attention and responsiveness, often lasting only a few seconds. During an absence seizure, an individual may appear to be staring blankly into space, and they typically do not exhibit any muscular convulsions or movements.

Absence seizures are most commonly seen in children and may occur multiple times a day. Following the seizure, the individual usually resumes normal activity without being aware that a seizure occurred. This contrasts with other types of seizures, such as generalized or tonic-clonic seizures, which involve more significant physical manifestations, including loss of consciousness, muscle rigidity, and convulsions.

Furthermore, myoclonic seizures involve brief, shock-like jerks of a muscle or group of muscles, so they do not fit the description of being unresponsive or vacant. Therefore, the definitive term for a seizure marked by a temporary absence of awareness or responsiveness is indeed the absence seizure.