1. Evenstar606

    Evenstar606 Member

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    Seizures in the Emergency Room

    Discussion in 'Research' started by Evenstar606, Feb 3, 2023.

    My current story has got me thinking about another, original story I was writing that I set aside last year. The plots were similar, and I ultimately decided not to pursue the idea due to lack of knowledge on the subject. I had a character who slipped on a wet floor, and fell and hit their head. They go to the ER later experiencing headache and dizziness. While back in a room waiting for the doctor, they start experiencing a seizure. What would the doctors and nurses do? If any monitoring is done (BP, pulse, electrocardiogram) would the patient be unhooked from the equipment before being taken for a CT scan?

    Note: I had a seizure at home three years ago, out of nowhere. I went to the hospital by ambulance, had a CT scan, then went home. No cause could be determined. And my older sister, who passed away in December 2020 from a brain tumor, had seizures. So I’m somewhat familiar with seizures. I’m just curious what the hospital would do for an actively seizing patient. Thank you!
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2023
  2. montecarlo

    montecarlo Contributor Contributor

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    I bet @Toxnurse has some good feedback
     
  3. Evenstar606

    Evenstar606 Member

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    @Toxnurse is awesome, she’s answered several of my questions already! She’s definitely a valuable member of this forum!
     
  4. Toxnurse

    Toxnurse Member

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    You rang?

    Roll patient onto their side, look at the clock (because how long the seizure lasts is important), maintain an airway, and push diazepam, either into the IV the patient hopefully already has or (sorry if TMI) rectally if there's no IV.

    Unnecessary equipment is always unhooked from a traveling patient because pushing things down the hallway and onto the elevator isn't fun. They're not concerned about cardiac here, so they'll likely disconnect everything but the IV.

    A doc or RN is most likely going along for the ride with a few doses of diazepam and a handful of flushes in their pocket, because if he seized once he might again and transport won't be able to do a thing to help him.
     
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  5. Evenstar606

    Evenstar606 Member

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    Thank you so much!
     

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