Question

You arrive at a residence shortly after a 4-year-old boy experienced an apparent febrile seizure. The child is alert and crying. His skin is flushed, hot, and moist. His mother tells you that the seizure lasted about 2 minutes. You should _________.

1) Administer an antipyretic medication
2) Place the child in a cool environment
3) Apply cold compresses to the child's forehead
4) Transport the child to the hospital

Answer 1

After a 4-year-old boy has a febrile seizure, it's important to cool him in a safe manner and transport him to the hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a 4-year-old boy experiences a febrile seizure, it is vital to address the situation with prompt and appropriate care. After the seizure has ended and the child is alert, the priority should not be to administer an antipyretic medication on your own, particularly if you are not a healthcare professional or lack parental consent and the appropriate medication at hand. Instead, the child should be placed in a cool environment to help lower the body temperature gradually. It is also advisable to apply cold compresses to the child's forehead to assist in reducing the fever. However, the most crucial step is to transport the child to the hospital immediately for a thorough evaluation and appropriate medical treatment, as seizures can indicate a serious underlying condition and post-seizure care is necessary to ensure the child's safety and well-being.