A nurse is caring for a client who begins having a tonic-clonic seizure while sitting in a chair at the bedside. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect statement, because the client should avoid any body piercings, tattoos, or other procedures that can cause skin or mucosal trauma and increase the risk of bacterial infection and endocarditis. The client should also seek medical attention if they have a fever or other signs of infection.

Choice B reason: This is a correct statement, because the client should notify their doctor before they have dental procedures, such as cleaning, filling, or extraction, that can cause bleeding and introduce bacteria into the bloodstream. The client may need prophylactic antibiotics to prevent endocarditis.

Choice C reason: This is a partially correct statement, because the client should floss their teeth twice a day as a part of their oral care, but this is not enough to prevent recurrence of endocarditis. The client should also brush their teeth with a soft toothbrush after each meal, use an antiseptic mouthwash, and visit their dentist regularly.

Choice D reason: This is an unnecessary statement, because the client does not need to wear a mask when they go out in public, unless they have a respiratory infection or are exposed to someone who has one. Endocarditis is not transmitted by airborne or droplet routes, but by direct contact with the infected heart valves or blood.

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect finding, because ecchymosis of the thigh, or bruising, is not a sign of fat emboli, but a sign of bleeding or hematoma formation due to the fracture or the traction. The nurse should monitor the size and color of the ecchymosis and report any changes to the provider.

Choice B reason: This is an incorrect finding, because serous drainage at the pin site, or clear fluid, is not a sign of fat emboli, but a sign of normal healing or infection. The nurse should assess the amount, color, and odor of the drainage and report any signs of infection, such as purulent drainage, redness, swelling, or pain, to the provider.

Choice C reason: This is the correct finding, because chest petechiae, or small red spots on the chest, are a sign of fat emboli, which are a rare but serious complication of long bone fractures. Fat emboli occur when fat globules from the bone marrow enter the bloodstream and travel to the lungs, causing respiratory distress, hypoxia, and pulmonary edema. The nurse should report any signs of fat emboli, such as chest petechiae, dyspnea, tachypnea, tachycardia, fever, or confusion, to the provider.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect finding, because muscle spasms in the left leg, or involuntary contractions of the muscles, are not a sign of fat emboli, but a sign of pain, inflammation, or nerve injury due to the fracture or the traction. The nurse should administer analgesics and muscle relaxants as prescribed, and provide comfort measures, such as massage, ice, or elevation, to the client.