A school-age child is diagnosed with absence seizures. Which behavior, if observed by the school nurse, is a characteristic of this type of seizure?

The child exhibits lip-smacking and repetitive hand movements followed by confusion.

The child cries out, becomes stiff, and then has rhythmic muscle contractions.

The child suddenly falls to the ground and has jerking movements.

The child stares blankly for a few seconds and then continues the previous activity without awareness of the episode.