A nurse is caring for a client who is experiencing a seizure. which of the following actions

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On this page, find out what to do if you see someone having a tonic-clonic or focal seizure. We explain how you can help, and when you should call for an ambulance.

Tonic-clonic (convulsive) seizures

Here’s how to help if you see someone having a tonic-clonic seizure.

Do:

• Protect them from injury (remove harmful objects from nearby)
• Cushion their head
• Look for an epilepsy identity card or identity jewellery – it may give you information about their seizures and what to do
• Time how long the seizure lasts
• Aid breathing by gently placing them in the recovery position once the jerking has stopped (see picture)
• Stay with the them until they are fully recovered
• Be calmly reassuring

Don't:

• Don't restrain their movements
• Don't put anything in their mouth
• Don't try to move them unless they are in danger
• Don't give them anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered
• Don't attempt to bring them round

Call for an ambulance if any of these things apply:

• You know it is their first seizure
• The seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes
• They have one tonic-clonic seizure after another without regaining consciousness between seizures
• They are seriously injured during the seizure
• They have trouble breathing after the seizure has stopped

Focal seizures

You may also hear this type of seizure called a partial seizure. Someone having a focal seizure may not be aware of their surroundings or what they are doing. They may have unusual movements and behaviour such as plucking at their clothes, smacking their lips, swallowing repeatedly or wandering around.

Here’s how to help if you see someone having a focal seizure.

Do:

• Guide them away from danger (such as roads or open water)
• Stay with them until recovery is complete
• Be calmly reassuring
• Explain anything that they may have missed

Don't:

• Don't restrain them
• Don't act in a way that could frighten them, such as making abrupt movements or shouting at them
• Don't assume they are aware of what is happening, or what has happened
• Don't give them anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered
• Don't attempt to bring them round

Call for an ambulance if any of these things apply:

• You know it is their first seizure
• The seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes
• They have one seizure after another without regaining awareness between seizures
• They are seriously injured during the seizure

Seizures in a wheelchair

If a person with epilepsy uses a wheelchair or has mobility problems, their GP or epilepsy specialist should give them a care plan. This should include advice on how to help the person if they have a seizure.

Here is some general advice about how to help someone who is having a seizure in a wheelchair.

Do:

• Put the brakes on, to stop the chair from moving
• Let them remain seated in the chair during the seizure (unless they have a care plan which says to move them). Moving them could possibly lead to injuries for both you and them
• If they have a seatbelt or harness on, leave it fastened
• If they don’t have a seatbelt or harness, support them gently, so they don’t fall out of the chair
• Cushion their head and support it gently. A head rest, cushion or rolled up coat can be helpful
• Time how long the seizure lasts

The person’s care plan should give advice on what to do after the seizure has finished. For example, it should say if it is safe to move them from the wheelchair to put them in the recovery position.

Don't:

• Don't restrain their movements
• Don't put anything in their mouth
• Don't give them anything to eat or drink until they are fully recovered
• Don't attempt to bring them round

Call for an ambulance if any of these things apply:

• You know it is their first seizure
• The seizure lasts for more than 5 minutes
• They have one seizure after another without regaining consiousness between seizures
• They are seriously injured during the seizure

Seizures in the water

Visit our sports and leisure page to find out what to do if someone has a seizure while swimming.

Find out more about seizures

Order first aid information from the Epilepsy Action shop.

First aid information in other languages

Beth i’w wneud pan fydd rhywun yn profi trawiad (Welsh)

Środek pierwszej pomocy w przypadku napadów drgawkowych (Polish)

  مرض کے دورہ کے لیے ابتدائی طبی امداد    (Urdu)

Premiers secours pour des crises d'épilepsie (French)

Erste Hilfe bei Krampfanfällen (German)

Primeros auxilios para convulsiones (Spanish)

Epilepsy Action would like to thank Dr Amanda Freeman, consultant paediatrician and Liz Nelson, Roald Dahl paediatric epilepsy specialist nurse, at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, for their contribution to this information.

Amanda Freeman and Liz Nelson have no conflict of interest to declare.