b. Initial Aid to a Seizure Patient. Although seizures are rarely life-threatening,
good management techniques can help the patient. Follow these guidelines:
(1) Prevent the person from injuring himself. To keep him from biting his
tongue or the inside of his mouth, place a tongue depressor, handkerchief, or padded
gag between his teeth.
CAUTION:
DO NOT cram anything in the person's mouth, and be careful with your
fingers.
(2)
DO NOT restrain the person.
(3)
DO NOT leave him alone.
(4) Loosen his clothing, especially clothing around his neck, and place a
pillow under his head.
(5) Turn his head to the side after the seizure activity. This will allow mucus
to flow out of his mouth.
(6) DO NOT give him drugs during the attack except for treatment of status
epilepticus. Drugs could delay the completion of the attack.
(7)
Be careful not to overreact or overtreat the person.
(8)
If necessary, arrange for the person to be hospitalized.
c. Recording and Reporting Seizures. Follow this procedure:
(1) Record personal observations of the patient. Be accurate in your
description of details.
(2) Record circumstances preceding the attack. Record what the patient
told you and what he did. Also, record statements of what he did from witnesses.
(3)
Record exact sequence of seizure symptoms. Be sure to include:
(a) Where on the body did the seizure start?
(b) Was the seizure local or generalized?
(c) How long did the seizure last? Include the total time and the time
of each phase of the seizure.
(d) List symptoms that were noticed during the seizure; for example,
incontinence, cyanosis, pupil changes, etc.
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