You enter your patient's room and they are having a seizure. What is your first action?

The first action when encountering a patient having a seizure is to position the patient on their side to maintain an open airway. This maneuver is crucial because it helps prevent aspiration, which can occur if the patient vomits or if secretions obstruct the airway during the seizure. Positioning the patient laterally allows any fluids to drain from the mouth, reducing the risk of choking and ensuring that the airway remains patent.

While calling for help is essential in managing a seizure, it is not the immediate first step. Likewise, placing a bite block in the patient's mouth is neither safe nor recommended, as this can lead to dental damage or injury to both the patient and provider. Monitoring vital signs is important after ensuring the patient's airway is secure and can be performed once the patient is stabilized. Thus, priority should be given to airway management, which is why positioning the patient on their side is the appropriate initial response.