A nurse is completing discharge teaching to a patient who has seizures and received a vagal nerve stimulator to decrease seizure activity. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A rationale:
Coughing and deep breathing: These techniques directly promote airway clearance by mobilizing and expelling secretions from the lungs. They are essential for clients with pneumonia, as the buildup of secretions can obstruct the airways and impair gas exchange.
Hydration maintenance: Adequate hydration helps to thin secretions, making them easier to cough up and clear from the lungs. It also helps to prevent dehydration, which can worsen respiratory symptoms.

Choice B rationale:
Keeping the head of the bed elevated: This can help to improve breathing by decreasing the work of breathing and promoting lung expansion. However, it is not the most effective intervention for directly clearing secretions from the lungs.

Choice C rationale:
Preparation for insertion of a tracheostomy tube: This is a more invasive intervention that may be necessary in severe cases of airway obstruction. However, it is not the priority intervention for a client with ineffective airway clearance related to pneumonia.

Choice D rationale:
Providing supplemental oxygen: This can help to improve oxygenation in clients with pneumonia. However, it does not directly address the problem of ineffective airway clearance.

Choice A rationale:
Loosening the patient's clothing around the neck and chest promotes easier breathing during the seizure. It also prevents potential injury from constrictive clothing that could restrict movement or circulation.
Choice B rationale:
Easing the patient to the floor if they are standing helps to prevent falls and injuries that could occur due to loss of consciousness and muscle control during the seizure. It's crucial to guide the patient gently to the floor to avoid abrupt movements that could trigger or worsen the seizure.
Choice C rationale:
Restraining the patient during a seizure is not recommended as it can cause harm. Attempting to restrain a patient's movements during a seizure can lead to muscle strains, joint injuries, or even fractures. It can also increase anxiety and agitation, potentially prolonging the seizure.
Choice D rationale:
Protecting the patient's mouth with a padded tongue blade is not necessary and can even be dangerous. It was once a common practice, but it's now discouraged as it can cause oral injuries, obstruct the airway, or induce vomiting.

Choice E rationale:
Providing privacy helps to protect the patient's dignity and reduce any potential embarrassment during the seizure. It also creates a calmer and less stimulating environment, which can be beneficial in managing the seizure.