What is your primary responsibility when a patient under your care experiences a grand mal seizure?

When a patient experiences a grand mal seizure, the primary responsibility is to protect the patient from injury. During a seizure, especially a grand mal seizure, the individual loses consciousness and often has violent muscle contractions, which can lead to falls or other self-inflicted injuries. It is crucial to ensure that the surrounding environment is safe by moving any nearby objects that could potentially harm the patient and cushioning their head if possible. This immediate action helps prevent injury during the seizure.

While notifying a doctor, administering medication, and monitoring vital signs are also important, they are secondary to ensuring the patient's immediate safety. Protecting the patient is the first step, as the duration and severity of the seizure can vary, and the immediate risk of injury is the highest concern during the event. Once the patient is stabilized and safe, further actions like notifying medical staff and monitoring vital signs can be addressed.