What action should be avoided during a seizure?

During a seizure, it is crucial to avoid giving food or liquids to the individual. This is because a person having a seizure may be unable to swallow properly, increasing the risk of choking. Additionally, administering food or liquids can lead to aspiration—where food or fluid enters the lungs instead of the stomach—resulting in serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia.

Turning the resident on their side, for instance, is a recommended practice as it helps keep the airway clear and allows any fluids to drain, reducing the risk of aspiration. Recording the start and end times of the seizure is important for medical records and helps healthcare professionals understand the duration and frequency of seizures, which can be valuable for ongoing care. Lastly, putting on gloves may be considered good practice if there's a risk of coming into contact with bodily fluids, but is not a primary concern during the actual seizure event itself.

The best course of action during a seizure is to ensure the person's safety, manage potential hazards, and monitor their condition while avoiding anything that could obstruct the airway, such as food or liquids.