Your patient is a 21-year-old female with a history of epilepsy. She is having a convulsion upon your arrival. Which of the following should you do?

In the case of a patient experiencing a convulsion, ensuring the individual's safety is the immediate priority. Moving furniture and other objects away from the patient minimizes the risk of injury during the seizure, as convulsions can cause involuntary movements that may lead to collisions with hard or sharp objects. This proactive measure helps protect the patient from potential harm, allowing the seizure to occur safely.

It's important to understand the other options in this context. Using a tongue depressor or any object in the mouth can pose a risk of dental damage or can lead to choking, as well as potentially causing injury to both the patient and the person attempting to intervene. Restraining the patient's extremities is generally discouraged, as this can lead to increased risk of injury for the patient and can cause further agitation during the seizure. Similarly, inserting any item between the patient's teeth is ineffective for preventing tongue biting and can create additional complications, including choking or damage to the mouth and gums.

By focusing on clearing the area around the patient, not only is safety prioritized, but it also allows for a more controlled and supportive approach to the situation until the convulsion subsides.