Question

The medical assistant (MA) gathers baseline vital signs for a 56-year-old female presenting to the office for an adjustment on her seizure medication. Just as the assistant finishes, the patient falls to the floor and begins to seize. How should the MA react?

A) Administer oxygen
B) Start CPR
C) Protect the patient from injury
D) Call 911

Answer 1

When a patient begins to seize, the MA should protect them from injury as a priority, ensure a safe environment, and only call 911 if necessary as per guidelines.

Step-by-step explanation:

Upon witnessing a patient starting to seize, the medical assistant (MA) should protect the patient from injury by ensuring the environment is safe. This involves moving furniture away, placing a soft object under the head to prevent trauma, and not restraining the patient's movements. The MA should also note the time the seizure began and ended and observe seizure characteristics for accurate reporting to the healthcare provider. It is crucial not to administer oxygen or start CPR unless the person does not begin breathing after the seizure stops. Calling 911 is necessary if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or if another seizure starts soon after the first, or if it is a first-time seizure. Protecting the patient from injury is the immediate priority in this situation.