Free BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Practice Question

The best initial course of action when managing a patient with a history of seizures, who is currently stable, is to take a thorough patient history and perform a physical exam. This fundamental step helps identify any potential triggers or underlying conditions associated with the seizure, provides a basis for further diagnostic testing, and guides appropriate management. Assessing vital signs is also essential but does not provide specific information about the seizure itself. Performing an immediate blood draw or administering anti-seizure medication might not be the first measures to take without further assessment and confirmation of an ongoing seizure or specific indications guided by the patient's history and current condition.