An elderly woman is suffering from a closed head injury after falling down five steps. She is responsive to painful stimuli and is breathing shallowly. When evaluating her airway, you note that she has both upper and lower dentures. Her upper dentures are secure, but her lower dentures are loose. Prior to providing positive pressure ventilation, you would:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Loose dentures can cause airway obstruction and potentially hinder effective ventilation. Therefore, it is best to remove the loose lower dentures before providing positive pressure ventilation. The upper dentures can be left in place as they are secure.

An Elderly Woman Is Suffering from a Closed Head Injury