What should a dental assistant do if a patient has a seizure during sedation?

When a patient experiences a seizure during sedation, the priority for a dental assistant is to clear the area and ensure the patient’s safety. This involves taking immediate action to prevent injury. The assistant should gently move any potentially harmful objects away from the patient and position them to prevent choking or further injury, such as placing them on their side if possible.

Ensuring the patient’s safety is crucial since seizures can be unpredictable and may lead to falls or other injuries. It is also important for the dental assistant to maintain a calm environment, which can help stabilize the situation as they prepare to facilitate further medical help if necessary.

Although calling for backup and waiting may seem like a cautious approach, it does not actively address the immediate safety concerns for the patient. Leaving the room to get help removes the assistant from the situation, which is not advisable as immediate attention is needed. Administering more sedative is also inappropriate during a seizure, as this could exacerbate the situation and complicate the patient's response to the seizure. Thus, the action of clearing the area and ensuring safety is the priority response.