What should a nurse instruct the family to do first in the event of a seizure?

In the event of a seizure, the priority is to protect the client from injury, particularly their head, which is vulnerable during convulsions. Protecting the head can involve placing a soft item, such as a pillow or clothing, under it to minimize the risk of trauma. This is crucial because head injuries during seizures can lead to serious complications.

While other actions such as turning the client on their side, removing nearby objects, and calling emergency services are also important, the immediate and most critical step is head protection. Addressing head safety is essential to mitigate the immediate risks associated with seizure activity. Once the client is safe from potential head injury, the nurse or family member can then consider those additional actions as necessary, depending on the situation and duration of the seizure.