Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Prometric Practice Exam

During a seizure, if a resident begins to fall, what is the appropriate action for the nurse aide to take?

1. Catch the resident to prevent a fall

2. Call for help

3. Perform first aid immediately

4. Try to calm the resident down

The correct answer is: Call for help

The appropriate action to take when a resident begins to fall during a seizure is to call for help. This response ensures that additional assistance arrives quickly, providing the necessary support and safety measures for the resident. During a seizure, the individual may be at a high risk for injury, and calling for help alerts other staff members who can assist in managing the situation safely. Once help arrives, trained personnel can secure the environment, provide the necessary first aid, and monitor the resident's condition while ensuring that they are safe and comfortable. Additionally, while it may be instinctual to catch the resident, doing so could lead to injury for both the resident and the nurse aide, particularly if the aide is not able to prevent the fall effectively. A calm demeanor and reassurance can also be helpful, but the primary focus should be on securing assistance to address the potential risks associated with the seizure.