Question

A nurse is taking care of a client with a history of status epilepticus requiring seizure precautions. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

A) Place the client in a side-lying position.
B) Offer high-calorie meals to prevent seizures.
C) Keep the environment well-lit at all times.
D) Pad the side rails of the bed.

Answer 1

To care for a client with status epilepticus, the nurse should pad the bed's side rails, administer anticonvulsants as prescribed, and review the medical history and recovery concerns with the care team.

Step-by-step explanation:

When taking care of a client with a history of status epilepticus and requiring seizure precautions, one vital action for the nurse to take is to pad the side rails of the bed. This is done to ensure that if a seizure does occur, the risk of injury from the hard metal side rails is minimized.

The nurse must also be prepared to administer any anticonvulsants, such as diazepam, that are prescribed to manage seizures and reduce the risk of further brain damage. These medications are critical in the management of actively seizing patients and are not self-administered. The care team, including the surgeon, nurse, and anesthesia professional, should also conduct a review to align on the key concerns related to the recovery and care of the patient. Understanding the patient's medical history is equally important, to provide tailored care that takes into account the timing and development of their epilepsy, although sometimes only a cursory history is available.