For a patient with alcohol withdrawal seizures being admitted to a psychiatric unit, what is the priority nursing action?

In the context of a patient experiencing alcohol withdrawal seizures, padding the side rails of the bed is a priority nursing action. This intervention is aimed at preventing injury during potential seizures. Patients undergoing alcohol withdrawal are at significant risk of seizures, which can lead to falls or trauma if they occur while the patient is in bed. By padding the side rails, the nurse creates a safer environment that minimizes the risk of injury should a seizure occur.

Ensuring patient safety is paramount in this situation, as seizures can be unpredictable and violent. The padded side rails can help protect the patient from sustaining serious injuries, as seizures can lead to thrashing movements.

Other interventions, while important, do not address immediate safety concerns. For example, having a working IV pump may be useful for administering medications like benzodiazepines to manage seizures, but it does not directly prevent injury from seizures themselves. Similarly, ordering an arterial blood gas is a critical assessment piece, but it is not an immediate action to address the potential danger of seizures or their occurrence. Asking for a clonazepam prescription would also be beneficial for controlling seizures, but preparedness for possible incidents takes precedence in acute situations.