seizures (student)

What would be the FIRST priority to a pt havign a seizure: administering O2 or giving seizure med?'

Thanks!

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

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.

[NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN]

I agree with that. We were tought, safety is #1. But between those two, I would also pick O2.

Safety, O2, IV access, med

[Larry in Florida]

Give the O2 after checking the airway.

[truern]

Having seen my daughter slump over one too many times during a seizure and occlude her airway, I'd have to say "airway"....a simple thing like correcting the alignment of the neck.

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

[DanEMT, ASN, RN]

Airway, place right lateral recombant, let gravity work on the tongue, not a option... O2

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?

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

O2 whether it's the first one or not.....the brain needs all the help it can get.

O2 whether it's the first one or not.....the brain needs all the help it can get.

I wasn't making a judgment - just remembering what happened to me - the two different outcomes.

I agree - the more O2 while I was turning blue . .the better.

steph

I agree - the more O2 while I was turning blue . .the better.

steph

Oh, but blue is such a pretty color!!

[scattycarrot, BSN, RN]

You can apply as much O2 as you want but if the patient doesn't have an airway, whats the point?!

Blue is my fav color!!!!!!!!

[scattycarrot, BSN, RN]

Not,I hasten to add, my fav color for a patient to be!!!!!!!!! :uhoh21:

You can apply as much O2 as you want but if the patient doesn't have an airway, whats the point?!

Blue is my fav color!!!!!!!!

You want the O2 in place so that when the sz is over and the pt starts breathing again, there's sweet oxygen to breathe in.

Not,I hasten to add, my fav color for a patient to be!!!!!!!!! :uhoh21:

I didn't look very pretty . .. or so say my co-workers. Both seizures happened at work - fortunately both times I had just gone to the bathroom. Bad enough to have a lovely seizure in front of your co-workers . ... but to pee your pants too?

steph

Still sounds like one of those vague nursing test questions without enough context... whether or not O2 is first priority depends upon assessment of the patient. I could see framing the question in terms of getting O2 ready to administer in case the patient may need it.

[ann945n, RN]

Maintaining the air way and providing safty

Channeling my CRNA grandmother.

Airway:chuckle :roll