If a mother reports that her 8-year-old daughter has frequent seizures and just had one at school, what should you do?

Ensuring a patent airway and requesting medical direction is crucial in this scenario because the primary concern for a patient experiencing seizures, especially a child, is to maintain their airway and adequate breathing. Seizures can lead to airway compromise, especially if they are prolonged or if the patient becomes unresponsive postictally (the state following a seizure). Establishing and maintaining a clear airway prevents potential respiratory failure and ensures that the patient can receive necessary medical care if complications arise.

Additionally, seeking medical direction is vital as it allows for further assessment and guidance from a physician or a trained medical professional, which could help in making treatment decisions based on the specifics of the case, including whether to administer medications like seizure-control medications, which should only be given under professional instructions.

In this context, maintaining ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) is a foundational practice in emergency care. While monitoring vital signs is important, immediate actions to ensure a patent airway take precedence in a case of seizure, where the child’s condition can rapidly change.