A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing a tonic-clonic seizure. Which nursing intervention should be the priority during the seizure activity?

The immediate priority during a tonic-clonic seizure is to position the patient on their side and protect the head. This keeps the airway open by allowing secretions to drain and prevents choking, while cushioning the head reduces the risk of traumatic brain injury.

Never try to put anything, including a padded tongue depressor, into the patient's mouth. The jaw muscles are tightly clenched, and doing this can cause broken teeth, cuts in the mouth, or a blocked airway from a foreign object. The tongue cannot be swallowed.

Do not hold down the patient's arms or legs. Restraint does not stop the seizure and redirects the force of muscle contractions, leading to a high risk of muscle and bone injuries like shoulder dislocations or broken long bones.