The nurse has admitted a patient to the ED following a fall from a first-floor hotel balcony.The patient smells of alcohol and begins to vomit in the ED.Which of the following interventions is most appropriate?
A) Insert an oral airway to prevent aspiration and to protect the airway.
B) Offer the patient an emesis basin so that you can measure the amount of emesis.
C) Prepare to suction the oropharynx while maintaining cervical spine immobilization.
D) Send a specimen of the emesis to the laboratory for analysis of blood alcohol content.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Stabilization of the cervical spine,preventing aspiration,and maintaining a patent airway are essential elements of trauma management.An oral airway may increase the risk of aspiration related to the emesis,and offering an emesis basin would contradict spine precautions.Alcohol level is best determined by serum analysis.

The Nurse Has Admitted a Patient to the ED Following