What should you do if a resident is having a seizure?

• A. Restrain the person
• B. Feed them
• C. Protect from injury, do not restrain, time the seizure, place the person on their side after it ends, and call for help
• D. Shake the person to regain consciousness

Answer: (C)

The priority during a seizure is safety and airway protection. Start by clearing the area of anything hard or sharp that could cause injury, and gently cushion the person’s head. Do not try to hold them down or restrict their movements; restraining can cause harm. Do not put anything in their mouth—this can injure teeth or jaw and won’t stop the seizure. If possible, monitor how long the seizure lasts so you can report it accurately.

After the convulsions stop, help the person roll onto their side into a recovery position. This keeps the airway open and helps so fluids can drain rather than be inhaled. Avoid giving anything to eat or drink until they’re fully awake and oriented.

Call for help right away if the seizure lasts more than five minutes, if another seizure follows immediately, if the person has trouble breathing or waking afterward, or if there are signs of injury. Also seek medical help if this is the person’s first seizure, or if there are special circumstances (pregnancy, diabetes, head injury, or other medical conditions).

So the best guidance is to protect from injury, do not restrain, time the seizure, place the person on their side after it ends, and call for help.