Published
Before you give a seizure med or start O2, you'd want to ensure the patient's safety and establish a patent airway. Those aren't choices, are they?
Between the two, I'd say give the O2. It's fairly quick and simple. If your first dose of seizure med doesn't work, at least you're correcting any hypoxia.
As someone who suffers from seizures . . . I'd say AIRWAY.
Unless someone is in status epilepticus, there is no need for meds acutely. A person goes on anti-seizure meds to control the seizures.
But usually you just wait it out, protecting the airway by turning them on their side and maybe giving O2.
steph
Wouldn't you have to wait til the seizure were over to administer O2? Would you automaticallly administer O2 if were readily available or check O2 sats first?
Just in my experience - no O2 the first time and O2 the second time . . . .not sure why really.
I really hate these "first priority" questions . .. . .shades of nursing school and NCLEX.
steph
sweetieann
195 Posts
What would be the FIRST priority to a pt havign a seizure: administering O2 or giving seizure med?'
Thanks!