3. SeizuresSeizures occur in approx

3. Seizures
Seizures occur in approximately 10% of head-injury patients during the acute stage. The risk of ate seizures exceeds 30% for patients with penetrating head injury, intracerebral hematoma, subdural hematoma, depressed skull fracture or seizure within the first week of injury.
The nurse should make preparations for the possibility of seizures by having a padded tongue blade or oral airway at the bedside and suction equipment close at hand. The bed side rails should be kept up. Padding the rails with pillows or foam cushions may minimize the risk of secondary injury from a seizure. During a seizure, the nurse should focus attention on maintaining a patent airway while observing the progression of seizure events and preventing further injury to the patient. If there is enough time before muscle spasticity begins and the jaws alench, a padded tongue blade, an oral airway, or a plastic bite stick should be inserted between the patient’s teeth. This will prevent the patient from bitting his or her tongue and will keep the airway clear. Nothing should be forced between the teeth., nor should the jaws be pried open. The patient should be turned to the side to allow secretion to drain or to be suctioned more easily. The person’s movements should be restrained only enough to prevent hitting objects, causing bruising or injury