Editing Medical-Surgical Nursing (section)

=== Seizures ===

During a seizure, protect the patient rather than restrain the patient: stay with the patient, ease them to the floor or lower the bed, turn the head or body to the side to protect the airway, remove nearby objects, loosen restrictive clothing, pad the side rails, and time the event. Never insert anything into the mouth and never restrain limbs. Afterward assess airway, vital signs, neurologic status, and injuries, and allow the patient to rest through the postictal period.

Status epilepticus is continuous or repeated seizure activity without recovery and is a medical emergency treated with airway support, oxygen, and intravenous benzodiazepines followed by a longer-acting anticonvulsant.

Phenytoin teaching includes meticulous oral hygiene because of gingival hyperplasia, avoiding abrupt discontinuation, and awareness of numerous drug interactions. Phenytoin is mixed only with normal saline, never with dextrose solutions, which cause precipitation.