Following a seizure, what is the nurse's priority assessment?

Following a seizure, the nurse's priority assessment should be to check airway patency. This is crucial because the patient may be unresponsive or in a postictal state following the seizure, which can lead to decreased awareness and an increased risk of airway obstruction. Ensuring that the airway is clear allows for adequate oxygenation and ventilation, which are vital to prevent complications such as hypoxia or aspiration.

In the immediate aftermath of a seizure, other assessments, such as checking responsiveness or monitoring blood glucose, are also important but secondary to maintaining a patent airway. A patient may have altered levels of consciousness and cannot protect their own airway, making it critical for the nurse to prioritize this aspect first. While measuring blood pressure can provide important information on the patient's hemodynamic status, the most immediate concern right after a seizure is ensuring breathing is unobstructed.