Maintaining the Airway in Patients with Altered Level of Consciousness

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What is the most important consideration in managing a patient with altered LOC?

Administering medication

Establishing an adequate airway and ensuring ventilation (correct)

Monitoring blood pressure

Measuring body temperature

Why is elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees important in preventing aspiration?

To prevent the tongue from falling back and obstructing the airway

To facilitate oral hygiene procedures

To promote drainage of secretions from the pharynx (correct)

To make the patient more comfortable

Why are side rails padded for patient protection?

To prevent skin breakdown

To prevent injury from accidental falls (correct)

To reduce noise caused by the rails

To provide a more comfortable grip for patients

Why is raising all four side rails considered a restraint by the Joint Commission?

It may limit the patient’s mobility Signup and view all the answers

When performing suctioning, what area are secretions typically removed from?

Posterior pharynx and upper trachea Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential danger of accumulated secretions in the pharynx for a patient with altered LOC?

Potential aspiration Signup and view all the answers

How can IV solutions and blood component therapy potentially impact patients with intracranial conditions?

Increase intracranial pressure if given too rapidly Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to prevent skin breakdown in unconscious patients?

Regularly turning the patient to avoid pressure Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to maintain corneal integrity in unconscious patients?

To prevent corneal irritation, dryness, and ulceration Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential complication in unconscious patients if mouth care is not maintained?

Parotitis Signup and view all the answers

What intervention can help promote bowel function in unconscious patients?

Assessing for distention by listening for bowel sounds Signup and view all the answers

How can high fever in an unconscious patient be potentially caused?

Infection of the respiratory or urinary tract Signup and view all the answers

Maintaining the Airway in Patients with Altered Level of Consciousness

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Questions and Answers

What is the most important consideration in managing a patient with altered LOC?

Why is elevating the head of the bed to 30 degrees important in preventing aspiration?

Why are side rails padded for patient protection?

Why is raising all four side rails considered a restraint by the Joint Commission?

When performing suctioning, what area are secretions typically removed from?

What is a potential danger of accumulated secretions in the pharynx for a patient with altered LOC?

How can IV solutions and blood component therapy potentially impact patients with intracranial conditions?

What should be done to prevent skin breakdown in unconscious patients?

Why is it important to maintain corneal integrity in unconscious patients?

What is a potential complication in unconscious patients if mouth care is not maintained?

What intervention can help promote bowel function in unconscious patients?

How can high fever in an unconscious patient be potentially caused?

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