Medical Emergencies · single question
A patient has a seizure in the dental chair. What is the MOST important action during the seizure?
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Correct answer: A. Protect the patient from injury and clear hazards from the area
- A. Correct. The most important action during a seizure is PATIENT SAFETY — prevent self-injury by removing hazardous instruments, padding sharp edges, allowing the seizure to proceed safely. After the seizure (postictal): turn to the side to prevent aspiration.
- B. Incorrect. NEVER place anything between the teeth during a seizure — dangerous myth. It can fracture teeth, injure fingers, and you cannot 'swallow your tongue.'
- C. Incorrect. NEVER forcibly restrain a seizing patient — this causes musculoskeletal injury.
- D. Incorrect. 911 should be called if the seizure is prolonged (>5 min), repeated, or first episode — but the MOST important action DURING the seizure is protecting the patient from injury.
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