What should the nurse teach a spouse about managing a tonic-clonic seizure outside a hospital?

• A. Call 911 immediately after seizure activity begins.
• B. Place a tongue blade in the client's mouth.
• C. Loosen restrictive clothing.
• D. Restrain the client's arms.

Answer: (C)

Teaching a spouse about managing a tonic-clonic seizure effectively is critical for ensuring safety and comfort during the event. Loosening restrictive clothing is a practical and helpful intervention because it can assist in facilitating breathing and prevent any potential injury that might arise from tight clothing during the convulsions.

During a seizure, the body can undergo significant muscle contractions and movements, and restricting clothing could exacerbate discomfort or even lead to injury. By loosening clothing, the spouse can help the person experiencing the seizure to be more comfortable and reduce the risk of complications related to constricted clothing.

In contrast, other options like calling emergency services immediately may not be necessary unless the seizure lasts longer than a specific time frame (usually 5 minutes) or if another seizure follows. Placing a tongue blade in the mouth poses a significant risk of injury, including broken teeth or airway blockage, and is not a recommended practice. Restraining the client's arms can also cause harm or injury; it limits movement and can put the person at risk of injury during muscle spasms. Therefore, focusing on loosening clothing is the most appropriate action to take during a tonic-clonic seizure outside of a hospital setting.