seizures (student)

Nurses General Nursing

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

Thanks!

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

steph

Oh, but blue is such a pretty color!! :lol2:

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Specializes in ITU/Emergency.

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!!!!!!!!;)

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Specializes in ITU/Emergency.

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

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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.

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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? :uhoh3:

steph

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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.

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Specializes in Nursing Ed, Ob/GYN, AD, LTC, Rehab.

Maintaining the air way and providing safty

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Channeling my CRNA grandmother.

Airway:chuckle :D :roll

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Specializes in ER.

Airway, and O2. I wouldn't leave the bedside to get a med, I'd holler for someone to bring it to me.

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Hi,

Been an Epileptic all my life. Gran-mal since I was 12.

A couple of points.

1. Giving a person meds AFTER a seizure will DO NOTHING. Siezure meds are not like heart or asthma meds. The reason an epileptic seizes is because the LEVEL of his meds has dropped or risen dramatically. Trying to give him meds after the fact is like closing the barn after the cow's gone.

2. SAFETY is the #1 priority for a pt. seizing. You can do NOTHING for them until they come out of it.

3. Once they DO come out of it, they will be dazed, unable to remember where they are or what day it is, etc. They will want to SLEEP, and will do so for MANY hours (at least 8 and up to 12).

4. Most long-time epileptics, like myself, will refuse treatment of ANY kind. Most will want their neurologist contacted. He will want to see them in a few days.

5. If the pt has NO history of epileptic seizures, then you have a serious problem on your hands, BUT try to ascertain if the pt. is an epileptic FIRST before you start slapping Oxygen on him (he might smack you if you do that). Remember, he won't know where he is or who YOU are. Sudden movements around him might bring an unexpected response. TALK IS GOOD. Give him time to bring himself into the real world. THEN ASK HIM if he wants Oxygen.

6. As for AIRWAY, it is PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE for someone to "swallow their tongue." Advisable to get them on their side, but if you put your finger in their mouth while they are seizing, YOU WILL LOSE IT. Ditto if you put any hard object in their mouths they will LOSE TEETH. If you must, use a rolled up kerchief.

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Specializes in Peds Cardiology,Peds Neuro,Pedi ER,PICU, IV Jedi.
What would be the FIRST priority to a pt havign a seizure: administering O2 or giving seizure med?'

Thanks!

On a question like this, even with as vague as it is...the answer is ALWAYS airway, airway, airway. Administering O2 is the treatment of choice because during a seizure the patient is not usually breathing effectively (grand mal). And I agree with the other poster, they're not going to be very receptive to oxygen therapy when they're post ictal. Put some blow by near their face...or in severe cases you may have to bag the patient.

Something they taught us long ago in medic school...any death from a seizure is a hypoxic death until proven otherwise.

vamedic4

;)

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On a question like this, even with as vague as it is...the answer is ALWAYS airway, airway, airway. Administering O2 is the treatment of choice because during a seizure the patient is not usually breathing effectively (grand mal). And I agree with the other poster, they're not going to be very receptive to oxygen therapy when they're post ictal. Put some blow by near their face...or in severe cases you may have to bag the patient.

Something they taught us long ago in medic school...any death from a seizure is a hypoxic death until proven otherwise.

vamedic4

;)

So true....

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