During a seizure in the hospital, which action should the nurse take?

• A. Restrain the client's arms and legs.
• B. Take measures to prevent injury.
• C. Place a tongue blade in the client's mouth.
• D. Elevate the head of the bed.

Answer: (B)

The primary idea is safety during a seizure. The nurse should actively protect the patient from injury by clearing the surrounding area, removing or loosening restrictive clothing, and cushioning the head to prevent trauma if the person falls or thrashes. Restraining the arms or legs is harmful and can cause injury or complicate the seizure. Placing a tongue blade or any object in the mouth is dangerous because it can damage teeth, injure the gums, or cause airway obstruction or aspiration. Elevating the head of the bed isn’t the immediate action during the seizure; the focus is on preventing injury and keeping the airway clear, then turning the patient to a side-lying position after the convulsion ends to facilitate breathing and drainage. If the seizure lasts longer than a few minutes, or there are repeated seizures, seek urgent help.