Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) Practice Exam

What is one of the crucial actions to take when a patient is having a seizure?

1. Provide oral hydration

2. Ensure airway is patent

3. Administer opiates

4. Check for recent meals

The correct answer is: Ensure airway is patent

The focus during a seizure is on ensuring the patient's safety and maintaining their physiological stability. Ensuring that the airway is patent is crucial because seizures can lead to loss of consciousness and muscle control, which increases the risk of airway obstruction. If a patient's airway is compromised, it can lead to serious consequences, such as hypoxia or respiratory arrest, particularly in the postictal state when consciousness is often impaired. While oral hydration can be important in general patient care, it is not a priority during an active seizure due to concerns about the patient's ability to swallow safely. Administering opiates is inappropriate in this context because they can depress the central nervous system and exacerbate respiratory issues. Checking for recent meals does not address immediate airway management needs during a seizure. Therefore, maintaining a clear airway is the most critical action in this scenario.