During a seizure, the nurse immediately wraps her arms around the patient to protect them from harm. Is this appropriate?

• A. No. patient should never be restrained. Allow movements
• B. Yes, restraint is essential to prevent injury
• C. Yes, hold the patient upright
• D. No, call for help only and do nothing else

Answer: (A)

During a seizure, the priority is safety without restraining the patient. Do not try to hold the person down or keep them from moving. Restraining can cause injuries, broken bones, or airway problems and can worsen the situation. Instead, protect the patient by clearing nearby hazards, loosening tight clothing, and cushioning the head with something soft.

Once the seizure ends, turn the patient onto the side in the recovery position to help keep the airway open and prevent aspiration, and monitor breathing and responsiveness. Time the event and be prepared to call for help if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, if another seizure follows immediately, or if there are injuries, or if this is a first seizure.