A patient with reduced consciousness vomits while lying in bed. What is the immediate priority?
- AKeep the patient supine and raise the head of the bed
- BGive the prescribed oral antiemetic
- CNotify the provider before repositioning the patient
- DTurn the patient to the side and suction the airway
Show answer and explanations
Answer
D
A
Raising the head while supine still allows vomitus to pool in the airway; lateral positioning is safer.
B
Oral medication is unsafe with reduced consciousness and does not protect the airway now.
C
Airway protection must not wait for notification; reposition first, then escalate.
D
Lateral positioning and suction protect the airway from aspiration and obstruction.