What is the initial nursing intervention for a patient who is experiencing a seizure?

The initial nursing intervention for a patient experiencing a seizure focuses on ensuring the safety of the patient first and foremost. Seizures can lead to injury from falls, thrashing limbs, or biting the tongue. By positioning the patient appropriately—typically on their side to maintain an open airway and reduce the risk of aspiration—and providing padding or cushioning around them, the nurse can help prevent harm during the seizure.

While administering anticonvulsants might be necessary later to control the seizure, this is not the immediate intervention during an active seizure. Checking vital signs is important for overall patient assessment but should not take precedence over immediate safety considerations. Monitoring oxygen levels continuously is also relevant but is considered secondary in the context of immediate safety during a seizure. Hence, prioritizing the patient's safety is the appropriate and correct initial step when managing a seizure episode.