A nurse is unfamiliar with a medication they are preparing to administer to a client. Prior to administering the medication, the nurse should refer to which of the following resources?

A. Measure the duration of the seizure. Monitoring the duration of a seizure is critical in determining whether it is self-limiting or prolonged. Seizures lasting longer than five minutes may indicate status epilepticus, requiring emergency intervention. Documenting the start and end times helps guide appropriate medical management.
B. Restrain the client's arms and legs to prevent injury. Restraining a client during a seizure can cause musculoskeletal injury or increase agitation. Instead, the nurse should ensure the client is in a safe position, remove nearby hazards, and allow the seizure to run its course while protecting the head.
C. Insert an oral airway into the client's mouth. Forcing an airway device or object into a seizing client's mouth can cause oral trauma, aspiration, or obstruction. The priority is to maintain a patent airway by positioning the client on their side to allow secretions to drain and prevent aspiration.
D. Lower the side rails of the bed when the seizure begins. Lowering the side rails increases the risk of the client falling out of bed during convulsions. If the client is already in bed, keeping the side rails up and padded can help prevent injury while allowing safe observation of the seizure activity.

A. Postoperative ambulation is important for recovery and preventing complications such as deep vein thrombosis, but it is not the most critical focus in the immediate preoperative period for a client undergoing a total laryngectomy.
B. Stoma site cleaning is the priority for the nurse to reinforce. After a total laryngectomy, the client will have a permanent stoma (opening) in the neck for breathing. Proper care and cleaning of the stoma site are essential to prevent infection, maintain airway patency, and ensure the client can manage their new method of breathing effectively.
C. Pain management is an important aspect of postoperative care, but it is secondary to ensuring that the client understands how to care for their stoma. Addressing pain is essential for comfort, but it does not take precedence over the immediate care required for the stoma.
D. Coughing and deep breathing are important for maintaining lung function and preventing complications such as pneumonia after surgery, but they are not the most critical teaching point for a client who will have a stoma after a total laryngectomy. The priority should be on the specific care of the stoma to ensure safety and effective breathing postoperatively.