A high school teacher who has been diagnosed with epilepsy after having a generalized tonic- clonic seizure tells the nurse, "I cannot teach anymore. It will be too upsetting if I have a seizure at work." How should the nurse respond to specifically address the patient's concern?

A. Restrain the patient's arms and legs to prevent injury during the seizure: Restraint during a seizure can potentially cause harm to the patient and should be avoided. It is essential to ensure the patient's safety by protecting the head and providing a safe environment.

B. Time and observe and record the details of the seizure and postictal state: Timing the seizure, observing the type and duration of movements, and noting any changes in the patient's behavior during the postictal state are crucial for documenting the seizure accurately and guiding further management.

C. Insert an oral airway during the seizure to maintain a patent airway: Inserting an oral airway during an active seizure is not recommended and can increase the risk of injury to the patient's airway. Maintaining a clear airway is important, but interventions such as positioning and
suctioning may be sufficient without the need for airway adjuncts during the seizure.

D. Avoid touching the patient to prevent further nervous system stimulation: While it's essential to minimize stimulation during a seizure, avoiding touching the patient altogether may not be feasible or necessary for providing care. Ensuring a safe environment and providing appropriate support are priorities during a seizure.

A. “You might benefit from some psychological counseling." While psychological counseling may be helpful for coping with the emotional impact of epilepsy, it does not directly address the patient's concern about the possibility of having a seizure at work.

B. “The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation can help with work retraining." While
vocational rehabilitation services may be beneficial for individuals with disabilities, it may not directly address the patient's concern about continuing to work as a teacher.

C. "Epilepsy usually can be well controlled with medications." This response addresses the patient's concern by providing reassurance that epilepsy can often be effectively managed with medications. By effectively controlling seizures, the patient may be able to continue working without the fear of having a seizure at work.

D. “You will want to contact the Epilepsy Foundation for assistance." While the Epilepsy Foundation provides valuable resources and support for individuals with epilepsy, this response does not directly address the patient's concern about continuing to work.