The nurse is caring for a patient during a post-ictal period. The patient remembers smelling something like dead fish prior to the seizure. Which of the following responses by the nurse is best?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The smell of dead fish may be an aura, which is a signal that a seizure is coming. The nurse should educate the patient to seek help immediately if they experience this smell again. Option A is not helpful as it does not address the patient's concern. Option B assumes that the patient is hallucinating without any evidence, which could cause the patient to feel disregarded or invalidated. Option D is also not helpful as it addresses a different sensory experience (seeing a flash of light) and does not address the patient's concern about the smell of dead fish.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient During a Post-Ictal