Seizures: NCLEX Priorities
Seizure types, safety during seizure, status epilepticus, post-ictal care.
Seizure management focuses on safety during the event and post-ictal care.
During a seizure
Protect head, turn to side, loosen clothing. Do NOT put anything in mouth. Do NOT restrain. Time it. Stay until post-ictal.
Status epilepticus
Seizure >5 minutes or recurrent without recovery. Lorazepam IV first. Then phenytoin/fosphenytoin load. Airway, IV, glucose.
Post-ictal
Confusion, fatigue, possible Todd's paralysis (transient weakness). Maintain airway. Reorient. Observe until baseline.
Patient teaching
Take meds consistently. Don't stop abruptly. Avoid triggers (sleep deprivation, alcohol, flashing lights for photosensitive). Driving restrictions per state.
Frequently asked
Put something in mouth during seizure?
No. Causes injury. Aspiration risk.
Postictal, when fully awake?
Minutes to hours depending on seizure type and individual.
Quick check
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