A client is having a tonic-clonic seizure. What should the nurse do first?

A. Normal pessimism of the elderly: This statement downplays the seriousness of the client’s feelings. Although some elderly individuals may experience sadness, these statements suggest a deeper issue that should not be considered normal.

B. A cry for sympathy: This response dismisses the client's feelings as attention-seeking, which could lead to missing a serious issue, such as depression or suicidal ideation.

C. Normal grieving: While grief can lead to feelings of sadness, the statements indicate a broader sense of hopelessness and worthlessness, which goes beyond normal grieving.

D. Evidence of high suicide potential: The client’s statements suggest feelings of hopelessness and despair, which are red flags for suicide risk, especially in elderly clients. This requires immediate assessment and intervention.

A. "Are you feeling worse since taking the medication?" This is an important safety question to ask, as it helps to assess whether the client’s condition has worsened since starting the medication. However, it is not the first priority when evaluating the efficacy of a newly prescribed antidepressant.

B. "How long have you been taking the medication?" This is the most important question to ask first because the effectiveness of imipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, can take several weeks to become apparent. If the client has not been taking the medication for an adequate period, the drug may simply not have had enough time to work yet.

C. "What time of day are you taking the medication?" While the timing of the medication can affect side effects, it is less critical than knowing how long the client has been on the medication when assessing its effectiveness.

D. "What dosage of medication are you taking?" This is an important follow-up question but not the first priority. The duration of treatment is more critical to assess before considering dosage adjustments.