What is the first action if a patient begins to have seizures due to eclampsia?

In cases of eclampsia, the priority is to stabilize the patient and prevent further seizures, as seizure activity can pose significant risks to both the mother and the fetus. Administering intravenous magnesium sulfate is the standard first-line treatment because it is effective in controlling seizures associated with eclampsia. Magnesium sulfate acts as a neuromuscular blocker and anticonvulsant, helping to stabilize neural activity and reduce the incidence of further seizure episodes.

While calling for immediate surgery might be necessary in some severe cases, it is not the first action when seizures occur; controlling the seizures takes precedence to ensure the safety of both mother and baby. Providing oxygen therapy may be supportive, but it does not address the immediate need to stop the seizure activity. Increasing fluid intake also does not directly address the seizure risk and can take time to have any effect. Therefore, starting with intravenous magnesium sulfate is the correct and critical first action in managing a patient experiencing seizures due to eclampsia.