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Question

Difficulty: EasyAccident, Error, and Injury Prevention

A practical nurse is preparing a hospital room for a client with a history of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Which safety measures should the nurse implement to prevent injury? Select all that apply.

  1. Pad the side rails of the bed using facility-approved materialsAnswer
  2. Ensure functioning suction equipment is immediately accessible at the bedsideAnswer
  3. C
    Apply soft wrist restraints to the client's extremities to prevent thrashing during a seizure
  4. Keep the client's bed in the lowest possible position with the wheels lockedAnswer
  5. E
    Assign an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) to complete the admission safety assessment

Answer

The nurse should pad the side rails of the bed, ensure functioning suction equipment is readily available, and keep the bed in the lowest possible position with the wheels locked.
Implementing proactive seizure precautions is essential for accident and injury prevention. Padding the side rails protects the client from blunt trauma if they strike the bed frame during a seizure. Keeping the bed in the lowest locked position minimizes the risk of severe fall-related injuries. Having functioning suction equipment readily available at the bedside is critical for clearing oral secretions to prevent aspiration during or immediately following a seizure episode.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary safety risks associated with generalized tonic-clonic seizures.
The client is at an elevated risk for physical trauma from violent involuntary muscle movements, falls, and airway compromise from excessive oral secretions.
Understanding the specific clinical risks of the condition directs the appropriate preventative safety measures.
2
Select interventions that directly mitigate physical injury and airway obstruction without causing secondary harm.
Padding side rails, lowering the bed, and having suction equipment prepared are standard, evidence-based seizure precautions.
These interventions prioritize airway clearance and environmental safety while adhering to the standard scope of practical nursing care.

Key Concept

Seizure precautions are proactive environmental safety measures designed to prevent physical trauma and maintain airway patency without using restrictive devices that could cause further injury.
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Topics

Accident, Error, and Injury Prevention

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