The nurse should recognize sustained seizures or repeated convulsive episodes without a return to consciousness as status epilepticus. Status epilepticus is a potentially lethal event. The first intervention is to protect the patient’s airway and support breathing. The nurse should not leave the room but rather should use the call system to get help. The nurse can also suction secretions, but should not place objects in the patient’s mouth, like a tongue depressor. The standard medication protocol used to treat status epilepticus starts with IM or IV benzodiazepine. A crash cart may or may not include this medication, since most are compiled to treat cardiac and respiratory arrest.