You have been called to a residence for a patient with altered mental status and shortness of breath. On scene an Emergency Medical Responder meets you and states that he believes the patient had a stroke and is unresponsive. As you enter the room, you see the patient lying in bed with snoring respirations. Oxygen at 15 liters per minute has been applied. Your immediate action when you reach the patient's side would be to:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient has altered mental status and snoring respirations, which indicates potential airway obstruction. The head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver can help open the airway and prevent further complications. Checking for a pulse is important, but not the immediate priority in this situation. Placing a nasal airway or performing positive pressure ventilation may be necessary, but should be done after ensuring a patent airway.

You Have Been Called to a Residence for a Patient