Which symptom indicates a life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment?

Status epilepticus is considered a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical intervention due to its potential to cause severe, long-term neurological damage or even death. This condition is characterized by ongoing seizures that last longer than five minutes or recurrent seizures without a full recovery of consciousness in between. The continuous seizure activity can lead to complications such as respiratory failure, metabolic disturbances, and increased intracranial pressure.

Prompt treatment is essential to stop the seizures and mitigate the risks of further neurological impairment. Other symptoms or conditions might require medical attention, but they do not pose the same immediacy or danger as status epilepticus. For example, while a fracture and an abscess may need timely treatment, they are generally not life-threatening in the same way. Stranguria, which refers to painful urination, is uncomfortable and could indicate a urinary tract issue, but it is not typically associated with an immediate life-threatening situation.