Final answer:
The most appropriate step for a medical assistant when a patient is having a seizure is to loosen clothing around the patient's neck to help ensure the airway remains open and reduce the risk of choking.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient is having a seizure, the most appropriate step for a medical assistant to take to protect the patient is to loosen clothing around the patient's neck. It's vital not to try administering liquids as this could cause aspiration, and while raising the patient's feet might be helpful after a seizure to aid in recovery, it is not the immediate concern during a seizure.
The assistant should also call for help to ensure that medical professionals can monitor the patient and provide assistance as necessary. This is because seizures can be a medical emergency and require immediate attention from healthcare professionals. Raising the patient's feet or loosening clothing around the patient's neck may not be necessary or effective in managing the seizure.