During a pediatric assessment of a seizure where the mother is crying, which action best enables you to assess the child?

• A. Ask the father to hold the child so you can assess him while your partner calms the mother.
• B. Reassure the mother that seizures in children are common and that there is nothing to worry about.
• C. Place the child on the stretcher and move away to begin assessment elsewhere.
• D. Attempt to calm the mother by making eye contact and speaking softly.

Answer: (A)

In a pediatric seizure assessment, the first priority is safety and the ability to perform a focused examination without interference. Having another caregiver hold the child provides physical stabilization, preventing injury and reducing movement so you can quickly assess the child’s airway, breathing, circulation, level of consciousness, and neurologic status. While your partner works to calm the mother, you can proceed with the assessment without being pulled away by distress or a writhing patient. This teamwork also helps create a calmer environment overall, which makes the evaluation smoother and safer for everyone.

Reassuring the mother alone, attempting only to calm her with eye contact, or moving the child away would either leave the child vulnerable to injury or disrupt the assessment. The plan that combines securing the child and stabilizing the scene while addressing the mother’s distress is the most effective way to enable a thorough and safe evaluation.