How do you care for a patient with a seizure?

Protecting a patient from injury and keeping the airway clear is the appropriate response when caring for someone experiencing a seizure. During a seizure, the patient may lose consciousness, have uncontrollable muscle contractions, and be at risk for falls or hitting nearby objects, which can lead to injury.

By ensuring a safe environment—moving potentially dangerous items out of the way and allowing the patient to move freely—injuries can be minimized. Additionally, it is critical to keep the airway clear since the patient could have difficulty breathing or may not be able to protect their own airway during the seizure. Positioning the patient on their side, if possible, can help maintain an open airway and facilitate drainage if they vomit.

The other choices suggest actions that are not safe or appropriate in such situations, such as attempting to restrain the patient or providing hydration during or immediately after a seizure, which could lead to choking.