A nurse is caring for a child who is experiencing a seizure. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A Position the child laterally.
B Use a padded tongue blade.
C Attempt to stop the seizure.
D Restrain the child’s arms.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: A Position the child laterally.
Explanation:
When caring for a child experiencing a seizure, the primary goal is to ensure the child’s safety and to prevent any potential injury. The correct action in this situation is to position the child laterally, which means placing the child on their side. Here’s why this is important and why the other options are not appropriate:
Position the child laterally (A): Placing the child on their side helps maintain an open airway and reduces the risk of aspiration. During a seizure, the child may lose consciousness and have difficulty swallowing or controlling their tongue, which increases the risk of choking on saliva or vomit. Lateral positioning allows any fluids to drain from the mouth, thus decreasing the risk of aspiration and keeping the airway clear. This positioning is a standard practice for seizure management and ensures that the child’s breathing is not compromised.
Use a padded tongue blade (B): Using a tongue blade, even if padded, is not recommended during a seizure. Attempting to place any object in the child’s mouth can lead to dental damage, oral injuries, or even harm to the caregiver. It is a common myth that placing something in the mouth during a seizure can prevent tongue biting or airway obstruction, but this practice is not safe or effective.
Attempt to stop the seizure (C): It is not possible or advisable to stop a seizure once it has begun. Seizures usually resolve on their own, and intervening aggressively can cause harm. Instead, the nurse should ensure that the environment is safe and support the child until the seizure ends.
Restrain the child’s arms (D): Restraining the child’s arms during a seizure can cause injury and does not prevent the seizure from occurring. Restraint can lead to muscle or joint damage and increases the risk of injury during the convulsive movements of a seizure.
In summary, positioning the child laterally is the most appropriate and safe intervention during a seizure, as it helps protect the airway and prevent aspiration. Other actions, such as using a tongue blade, attempting to stop the seizure, or restraining the child, are not recommended and can potentially cause harm.