A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure. Which of the following action should the nurse take?

A) I’d like to hear your thoughts about giving yourself this medication:
This response encourages open communication and allows the client to express their concerns or fears. It shows empathy and provides an opportunity for the nurse to understand the reasons behind the refusal, which can help tailor the teaching approach. This is an effective way to build trust and involve the client in their care plan.

B) Have you considered how your decision to refuse medication will affect your family?
While this statement highlights the consequences of the client’s actions, it can feel judgmental or guilt-inducing, which may cause the client to become defensive. The nurse should aim to engage the client in a non-judgmental and supportive way rather than focusing on external consequences at this stage.

C) Why don’t you want to learn how to give yourself your medication?
This question could come across as confrontational and may make the client feel pressured or defensive. Instead of focusing directly on the refusal, the nurse should try to understand the client's perspective and barriers, which can be better achieved with a more open and empathetic approach like option A.

D) You will suffer serious health issues if you don’t take your medication:
This response may evoke fear and could be perceived as coercive. It focuses on the negative consequences without first understanding the client’s feelings or reasons for refusing. While the nurse should eventually address the importance of insulin, it’s more effective to first create an open dialogue that respects the client’s autonomy and concerns.

A. Insert an oral airway into the client’s mouth:Attempting to insert any object into the mouth during a seizure risks airway obstruction, dental injury, or aspiration of oral secretions or broken teeth. The jaw is typically clenched, making insertion unsafe and impractical.

B. Measure the duration of the seizure:While timing the seizure is important for documentation and determining if status epilepticus occurs, it should not take precedence over immediate physical safety measures. Restraint to prevent injury must occur first.

C. Lower the side rails of the bed when the seizure begins:Lowering the side rails increases the risk of the client falling from the bed. Instead, the bed rails should remain raised and padded (if possible) to create a contained, safe environment.

D. Restrain the client's arms and legs to prevent injury:Gentle but firm restraint of the extremities reduces the risk of the client striking themselves against hard surfaces (e.g., bed rails, walls) or experiencing dislocations, fractures, or self-inflicted trauma. Restraint should be applied cautiously to avoid excessive force, but it is necessary to maintain physical control during the seizure’s intense muscular contractions.