Seizure Precautions

                                   Seizure Precautions

                                       Nursing Assessment

• Identify any activities that occurred immediately before the seizure.

• Was the client aware a seizure was going to occur? If so, how did client know?

• Describe type of movements that occurred and the body area affected (e.g., jaw clenched, tongue biting).

• Presence of incontinence.

• Period of apnea and cyanosis.

• Presence of automatisms (lip smacking, grimacing, chewing).

• Duration of seizure.

• Changes in level of consciousness.

• Condition of client after seizure: oriented, level of activity, any residual paralysis or muscle weakness.

                            NURSING PRIORITY

Airway management and ventilation cannot be performed on a client who is experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure. After the seizure is over, evaluate the airway and initiate ventilation as necessary.

                               Nursing Responsibility During  Seizure

• Remain with the client who is having a seizure; note the time the seizure began and how long it lasted.

• Do not attempt to force anything into the client’s mouth if the jaws are clenched shut.

• If the jaws are not clenched, place an airway in the client’s mouth. This protects the Tongue and also provides a method of suctioning the airway, should the client vomit.

• Protect the client from injury (risk for falling out of bed or striking self on bed rails, etc.).

• Loosen any constrictive clothing.

• Do not restrain the client during seizure activity; allow seizure movements to occur, but protect the client from injury.

• Evaluate respiratory status; if vomiting occurs, be prepared to suction the client to clear the airway and prevent aspiration.

• Maintain a calm atmosphere and provide privacy after the seizure activity.

• Reorient client.

• Report characteristics of a client’s seizure; determine changes in the client’s neurologic status.

                                  Client education

• Identify activities/events that precipitate the seizure activity.

• Avoid alcohol intake, fatigue, and loss of sleep.

• Take medications as directed.

• Counselling for the family and for the client to assist them in maintaining positive coping mechanisms.

• Wear a medical alert bracelet or have an identification card.

                                    Take Note

• Monitor the client’s compliance with taking antiseizure medications as prescribed.

• Make the environment safe by removing potentially unsafe objects.

• Keep suction, bag-valve-mask resuscitator, and airway equipment at the bedside.

• Pad side rails to prevent injury during seizures.