The first priority in providing care for a person in a tonic-clonic seizure is to:

The first priority in providing care for a person in a tonic-clonic seizure is to:

• A. prevent injury.
• B. prevent aspiration of saliva.
• C. maintain an open airway.
• D. manage the environment.

Answer: (A)

The most important thing to do first when someone has a tonic-clonic seizure is to prevent injury. During a seizure the person may thrash, fall, hit furniture, or bite the tongue, and these actions put them at risk for head trauma, cuts, or other injuries. So your immediate focus is safety: gently guide the person away from hazards, move nearby objects out of the way, cushion the head with something soft, and loosen any restrictive clothing. Do not try to restrain their movements, and never place anything in their mouth. After the seizure stops, turn the person onto a side-lying position to help keep the airway clear and monitor breathing. Seek help if the seizure lasts longer than a few minutes, if another seizure starts soon after, or if there are signs of injury or breathing problems. Preventing injury during the event is the priority because physical harm is the most immediate threat.

The most important thing to do first when someone has a tonic-clonic seizure is to prevent injury. During a seizure the person may thrash, fall, hit furniture, or bite the tongue, and these actions put them at risk for head trauma, cuts, or other injuries. So your immediate focus is safety: gently guide the person away from hazards, move nearby objects out of the way, cushion the head with something soft, and loosen any restrictive clothing. Do not try to restrain their movements, and never place anything in their mouth. After the seizure stops, turn the person onto a side-lying position to help keep the airway clear and monitor breathing. Seek help if the seizure lasts longer than a few minutes, if another seizure starts soon after, or if there are signs of injury or breathing problems. Preventing injury during the event is the priority because physical harm is the most immediate threat.