What does a tonic-clonic seizure typically involve?

A tonic-clonic seizure, also known as a grand mal seizure, typically involves a loss of consciousness accompanied by muscle rigidity followed by rhythmic jerking movements. During the initial tonic phase, the person experiences muscle stiffness as the muscles contract, leading to a loss of posture and potential falling. This is followed by the clonic phase, where the individual exhibits rhythmic jerking movements of the body. The loss of consciousness during this type of seizure means that the person is not aware of their surroundings or what is happening to them.

While other options do describe different types of seizure activities, they do not correctly represent the combination of features that characterize a tonic-clonic seizure. Localized muscle twitching is more indicative of partial seizures, absence of awareness aligns with absence seizures, and sudden emotional outbursts could be seen in other contexts but are not a defining feature of tonic-clonic seizures.